Cyp1b1 nucleic acids and methods of use

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides nucleic acids containing transcriptional units that encode CYP1B1 polypeptides or portions thereof, wherein the transcriptional units lack sequences found in the untranslated region (UTR) of naturally occurring forms of the CYP1B1 transcript. The nucleic acids of the invention lack translational repressor elements and thus provide for a system of enhanced translation of the CYP1B1 polypeptide or portions thereof. Also disclosed are methods of administering nucleic acids to a mammal and use in the treatment of proliferative disorders or cancer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/244,501, filed Oct. 31, 2000, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/261,719, filed Jan. 12, 2001, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/298,428, filed Jun. 15, 2001. These applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to CYP1B1 nucleic acids and methods of use to induce an immune response.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cytochrome P450 constitutes a large gene family of enzymes that participate in the oxidative activation and/or deactivation of a wide range of xenobiotics, including many potential carcinogens and several anticancer drugs (Guengerich and Shimada (1991) Chem. Res. Toxicol. 4:931; Gonzalez and Gelboin (1994) Drug Metab. Rev. 26:165; Kivisto et al. (1995) Br. J. Olin. Pharmacol. 40:523).

The human CYP1 gene family, one of the major P450 families, consists of three individual forms classified into two sub-families. CYP1B1, a member of one sub-family, is 543 amino acids in length. It is structurally distinct from the two members of the CYP1A2 subfamily (Tang et al., J. Biol. Chem. (1996) 271:28324).

Studies of various types of cancer, including breast cancer, esophageal cancer and soft tissue sarcomas, have shown that there may be tumor-specific expression of a CYP1B1 form of P450 (see Murray et al. (1991) Br. J. Cancer 63:1021; Murray et al. (1993) J. Pathol. 171:49; Murray et al. (1994) Gut 35:599). Immunohistochemistry studies of CYP1B1 show a strong immunoreactivity for several different types of tumors (bladder, breast, colon, kidney, lung, esophagus, ovary, skin, stomach, uterus, bone and connective tissue, lymph node, brain, and testis) (see WO 97/12246, herein incorporated by reference).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the discovery that nucleic acids can be constructed that contain transcriptional units that encode CYP1B1 polypeptides or portions thereof, wherein the transcriptional units lack translational repressor elements. These elements may be located in the untranslated region (UTR) of naturally occurring forms of the CYP1B1 transcript, or in the coding sequence, or both. The nucleic acids of the invention lack some or all of the CYP1B1 endogenous translational repressor elements and thus provide for a system of enhanced translation of the CYP1B1 polypeptide or portions thereof. The nucleic acids of the invention can also contain mutations, deletions, insertions, or rearrangements that promote the immunogenicity of the encoded protein. The polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acids described herein are useful for stimulating an immune response in a mammal.

In one aspect, the invention features a nucleic acid including a transcriptional unit that contains a coding sequence that encodes a polypeptide containing CYP1B1 or a portion thereof that contains a peptide that binds to an MHC class I or class II molecule or is a B cell epitope. The transcriptional unit does not contain a translational repressor element operably linked to the coding sequence.

As used herein, a “transcriptional unit” refers to a nucleic acid containing a translation start signal, followed by an open reading frame optionally including an intron and appropriate splice donor and acceptor sites, followed by a termination codon, wherein the nucleic acid is either (1) an RNA or (2) a sequence of nucleotides that is transcribed into an RNA. A “translation start signal” refers to an initiation codon in the context of a Kozak consensus sequence. A “translational repressor element” refers to a nucleotide sequence located in the untranslated region of a transcript that, when present, decreases the level of translation of a polypeptide encoded by the transcript by at least 25% relative to the transcript lacking the nucleotide sequence. A translational repressor element can cause a decreased level of translation by, for example, preventing ribosome binding to a transcript or decreasing the half life of a transcript.

A polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid described herein contains a segment of CYP1B1 that is at least eight amino acids in length. In one example, the polypeptide contains the sequence FLDPRPLTV (SEQ ID NO:22). In another example, the polypeptide contains the sequence of any of SEQ ID Nos:31-39. In another example, the polypeptide is less than 400, 300, 200 or 100 amino acids in length.

As used herein, a “segment” is an amino acid sequence which (a) corresponds to the sequence of a portion (i.e., fragment less than all) of a CYP1B1 protein and (b) contains one or more epitopes. For clarity, the term “segment” is used herein to denote a part of a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid of the invention, while the term “portion” is used to denote the corresponding part of the naturally occurring protein. By “epitope” is meant a peptide which binds to the binding groove of an MHC class I or class II molecule or to the antigen-binding region of an antibody. A methionine codon can be included at the 5′ end of this or any other coding sequence of the invention, to facilitate translation. In addition, a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid described herein can encode a targeting signal, as described in more detail below.

A transcriptional unit described herein can contain an RNA stabilization sequence. “RNA stabilization sequence” refers to a nucleotide sequence located in the untranslated region (UTR), 5′ or 3′ UTR or both, of a transcript that, when present, increases the half life of the transcript relative to a transcript lacking the nucleotide sequence.

A nucleic acid described herein can contain an inducible promoter sequence operably linked to the transcriptional unit. “Inducible promoter sequence” refers to a sequence of nucleotides, wherein the binding of an agent, e.g., a metal or some other non-proteinaceous compound, to the sequence of nucleotides results in enhanced transcription of the transcriptional unit to which the sequence of nucleotides is operably linked. An example of an inducible promoter sequence is the metallothionine promoter.

A polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid of the invention may optionally include a targeting signal. A targeting signal is a peptide which directs intracellular transport or secretion of a peptide to which it is attached. The targeting signal can be at the amino terminus, e.g., a signal sequence, or carboxy terminus, or within the hybrid polypeptide, so long as it functions in that site.

The targeting signal can be, for example, a signal sequence. Any signal sequence that directs the encoded protein to the endoplasmic reticulum and/or causes secretion of the encoded protein to which it is attached is suitable. A preferred targeting signal is the signal peptide of HLA-DRα: MAISGVPVLGFFIIAVLMSAQESWA (SEQ ID NO:27). Another signal sequence that can be linked to a polypeptide described herein has the following sequence: MAISGVPVLGFFIIAMLMSAQESWAPRAT (SEQ ID NO:40). Another signal sequence that can be linked to a polypeptide described herein is the E1A signal sequence.

The targeting signal may optionally be modified to introduce an amino acid substitution at the junction(s) between the targeting signal and the adjacent segment(s) to promote cleavage of the targeting sequence from the epitopes by, e.g., a signal peptidase.

In another aspect, the invention features a nucleic acid including a transcriptional unit containing a coding sequence that encodes a polypeptide containing CYP1B1 or a portion thereof that contains a peptide that binds to an MHC class I or class II molecule, wherein the transcriptional unit does not contain 150 consecutive nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:18 or SEQ ID NO:19. Preferably the CYP1B1 or portion thereof corresponds to the sequence of a naturally occurring CYP1B1 polypeptide of a mammal, e.g., a human.

In one example, a transcriptional unit does not contain at least one of SEQ ID NOs:3-9 or 15-17. In another example, the transcriptional unit does not contain 50, 25, or 10 consecutive nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:18 or SEQ ID NO:19. In another example, the transcriptional unit does not contain any of SEQ ID NOs:3-9 or 15-17.

A transcriptional unit can contain a translational regulatory sequence operably linked to the coding sequence. “Translational regulatory sequence” refers to a sequence of nucleotides, wherein the binding of an agent to the sequence of nucleotides results in enhanced translation of a polypeptide encoded by the coding sequence to which the sequence is operably linked. In one example, the translational regulatory sequence is an iron responsive sequence.

In another aspect, the invention features a nucleic acid that contains a transcriptional unit that encodes a hybrid polypeptide containing a first and a second segment of CYP1B1. The first and second segments are either contiguous or separated by a spacer amino acid or spacer peptide. The first and second segments are each at least eight amino acids in length and are non-contiguous portions of CYP1B1.

By “spacer amino acid” is meant a single residue inserted between two neighboring segments (“A” and “B”, in that order) in a polypeptide of the invention, where the residue is different from the amino acid which flanks the carboxy terminus of A and also is different from the amino acid which flanks the amino terminus of B in the full length CYP1B1 protein. Thus, the spacer amino acid forms a point of discontinuity from the CYP1B1-derived sequence of A and the CYP1B1-derived sequence of B, in the polypeptide of the invention. Typically, the amino acid will be one of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids, e.g., Ala, Leu, Ile, or Gly, and in general can be any amino acid except (1) the one that naturally flanks the carboxy terminus of A in CYP1B1, and (2) the one that naturally flanks the amino terminus of B in CYP1B1.

By “spacer sequence” is meant a sequence of two or more amino acids inserted between two neighboring segments, e.g., “A” and “B”, in a polypeptide of the invention. The sequence of the spacer is different from the sequences which flank the carboxy terminus of A and the amino terminus of B in the full length CYP1B1 protein from which A and B were derived. Thus, the spacer sequence forms a point of discontinuity from both the CYP1B1-derived sequence of A and the Y-derived sequence of B in the polypeptide of the invention.

Examples of spacer sequences include Ala Ala, Ala Leu, Leu Leu, Leu Ala, Leu Ile, Ala Ala Ala, Ala Gly Leu, The Ile Ile, etc. Generally, the spacer sequence will include nonpolar amino acids, though polar residues such as Glu, Gln, Ser, His, and Asn could also be present, particularly for spacer sequences longer than three residues. The only outer limit on the total length and nature of each spacer sequence derives from considerations of ease of synthesis, proteolytic processing, and manipulation of the polypeptide and/or nucleic acid. It is generally unnecessary and probably undesirable to use spacer sequences longer than about four or five residues, though they could be, for example, up to 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 30, or 50 residues. Of course, they could be even longer than 50 residues.

Spacer amino acids and spacer sequences are useful for altering protein stability or for promoting processing to release epitopes. The spacers are typically removed from the polypeptide by proteolytic processing in the cell, along with any sequence between epitopes within a given segment. This leaves the epitopes intact for binding to MHC molecules or (upon secretion from the cell) antibodies. Occasionally a spacer amino acid or part of a spacer sequence will remain attached to an epitope through incomplete processing. This generally will have little or no effect on binding to the MHC molecule.

The hybrid polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid described herein can further include additional segments of CYP1B1, e.g. a third, fourth, fifth, or sixth segment These additional segments are each at least eight amino acids in length and constitute non-contiguous portions of CYP1B1.

The spacer can optionally encode a T cell and/or B cell epitope from a protein other than CYP1B1. For example, the spacer can encode the tetanus toxoid or a PADRE T cell epitope (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,907).

The invention also features a composition containing a nucleic acid described herein and an adjuvant or immunostimulatory agent. Adjuvants and “immunostimulatory agents” refer to substances that stimulate an immune response in a non-antigen specific manner or induce differentiation or activation of professional antigen presenting cells such as dendritic cells. Examples of adjuvants include alum, gold, monophosphoryl lipid A, saponin, oil based emulsions, QS21, and Freund's adjuvant. Examples of immunostimulatory agents include: a CpG containing oligonucleotide of, e.g., 18-30 nucleotides in length; cytokines such as IL-12, OM-CSF, IL-2, or IFN-gamma; cell surface receptors such as B7-1, B7-2, CCR5; and lipids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and bacterial polypeptides.

The invention also includes a composition containing a nucleic acid described herein and a nucleic acid encoding an immunostimulatory agent, e.g., IL-12, GM-CSF, IFN-gamma, or a bacterial polypeptide.

The invention also includes a therapeutic composition containing a nucleic acid described herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention also includes a microparticle, e.g., a microsphere containing a polymeric matrix or shell and a nucleic acid described herein. The invention also includes a polymeric network, e.g., a hydrogel and a nucleic acid described herein.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of inducing an immune response in a mammal by administering a nucleic acid described herein to the mammal. In one example, the mammal suffers from or is at risk for cancer. The nucleic acid can be administered by various routes, e.g., subcutaneously, intranasally, or intramuscularly. Injection of the nucleic acid may be followed by electroporation at the injection site. The immune response generated by this method can be directed to CYP1B1. The method can generate a T cell response and/or a B cell response.

The invention also features a method of inducing an immune response in a mammal by administering a microparticle or polymeric network described herein to the mammal.

The invention also features a method of generating an immune response that includes the steps of (1) detecting a tumor or expression of CYP1B1 in a tumor of a mammal; and (2) administering a nucleic acid described herein to the mammal, wherein the administration results in the generation of an anti-CYP1B1 immune response in the mammal.

The invention also features a method of reducing tumor growth or tumor activity in a mammal. The method includes the following steps: (1) identifying a mammal having a tumor; (2) administering a nucleic acid described herein to the mammal; and (3) detecting a reduction in the size or activity of the tumor following the administration of the nucleic acid. As used herein, “tumor activity” refers to soluble factors secreted by a tumor cell that promote tumor cell growth. The method can further include a step of detecting CYP1B1 expression in the tumor before administering the nucleic acid.

The invention also features a method of increasing the time to relapse, life expectancy, or quality of life of a mammal. The method includes the following steps: (1) identifying a mammal having a tumor; (2) administering a nucleic acid described herein to the mammal; and (3) measuring an increase in the time to relapse, life expectancy, or quality of life of the mammal following administration of the nucleic acid. Increases in time to relapse, life expectancy, or quality of life can be measured, e.g., by a decreased need for chemotherapy or a decrease in duration of chemotherapy administration, a decreased need for pain medication or a decrease in duration of pain medication administration, or a decreased need or duration of hospitalization or medical treatment.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of inducing an immune response by delivering a nucleic acid described herein to a cell. The induction of the immune response can occur in vitro, in vivo, or ex vivo. For example, anti-CYP1B1 T cells can be generated in cell culture, e.g., by incubation with antigen presenting cells such as dendritic cells expressing CYP1B1 or pulsed with CYP1B1 protein or peptides, and then reintroduced into an individual, e.g., an individual suffering from or at risk of having cancer.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of inducing an immune response in a mammal by administering a nucleic acid to the mammal. In this method the mammal belongs to a first species, e.g., the mammal is a human, and the nucleic acid encodes a polypeptide that contains CYP1B1 or portion thereof that binds to an MHC class I or class II molecule or immunoglobulin receptor, wherein the CYP1B1 or portion thereof is identical to a sequence of a naturally occurring CYP1B1 polypeptide of a second species, e.g., a rodent such as a rat or a mouse.

The nucleic acid administered according to this method can be any nucleic acid that encodes a polypeptide that contains CYP1B1 or portion thereof that binds to an MHC class I or class II molecule or immunoglobulin receptor. In one example, the nucleic acid is a nucleic acid of the invention. The nucleic acid can be delivered to the mammal as a naked nucleic acid or associated with a delivery vehicle such as a microparticle. Preferably the CYP1B1 or portion thereof that binds to an MHC class I or class II molecule is not identical to a sequence of a naturally occurring CYP1B1 polypeptide of the first species. The nucleic acid can optionally be administered together with an immunostimulatory agent, as described herein.

The mammal to which the nucleic acid is administered may have or be at risk of having a cellular proliferative disorder, e.g., cancer. In one example, the mammal is identified as having a cellular proliferative disorder, e.g., a tumor, prior to administering the nucleic acid to the mammal.

An advantage of the invention is that the nucleic acids described herein permit the translation of the CYP1B1 polypeptide or a portion thereof in a cell where a CYP1B1 polypeptide is either not normally produced or is produced at low levels.

A further advantage of some of the nucleic acid constructs described herein is that they permit the translation of polypeptides with altered stability and/or altered, reduced, or absent enzymatic activity. Altering the stability of a polypeptide can enhance its processing and subsequent recognition by the immune system. Altering the enzymatic activity of a CYP1B1 protein reduce or eliminate an unwanted biological activity.

A further advantage of selected constructs of the invention is that they permit the delivery of MHC class I- or class II-binding epitopes from polypeptides having only a partial or altered sequence of a CYP1B1 protein. Thus, deleterious effects associated with expression of the full length CYP1B1 polypeptide are avoided. In addition, alterations in the coding sequence of the encoded CYP1B1 protein could break self-tolerance to the antigen.

A further advantage of selected constructs of the invention is that the assortment of epitopes within the polypeptides described herein increases the likelihood that at least one, and generally more than one, CYP1B1 epitope will be presented by each of a variety of HLA allotypes. This allows for immunization of a population of individuals polymorphic at the HLA locus, using a single nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Suitable methods and materials are described below, although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1D depict the sequence of a CYP1B1-encoding nucleic acid (SEQ ID NO:1) and polypeptide (SEQ ID NO:2).

FIGS. 2A-2C are schematic drawings of CYP1B1 cDNA constructs containing an open reading frame (ORF) and various amounts of untranslated region (UTR).

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of a CYP1B1 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO:2) and several CYP1B1 truncation and deletion mutants.

FIG. 4 depicts the generation of CYP1B1 reactive T cells in mice immunized with CYP1B1-expressing vectors.

FIG. 5 depicts the generation of CYP1B1 reactive T cells in mice immunized with CYP1B1 variant-expressing vectors.

FIG. 6 depicts the generation of CYP1B1 reactive T cells in mice immunized with CYP1B1-expressing vectors followed by electroporation.

FIG. 7 depicts the generation of CYP1B1 reactive T cells in mice immunized with CYP1B1-expressing vectors contained in polymeric networks.

FIG. 8 depicts the generation of CYP1B1 reactive T cells in mice immunized with CYP1B1-expressing vectors contained in microparticles.

FIG. 9 depicts the generation of CYP1B1 reactive MHC class II restricted T cells in mice immunized with CYP1B1 expressing vectors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides nucleic acids containing transcriptional units that encode CYP1B1 polypeptides or portions thereof, wherein the transcriptional units lack sequences found in the untranslated region (UTR) of naturally occurring forms of the CYP1B1 transcript. Naturally occurring forms of a CYP1B1 transcript are thought to contain translational repressor elements that contribute to the partial or total suppression of translation, at least in some cellular environments. The nucleic acids of the invention lack translational repressor elements and thus provide for a system of enhanced translation of the CYP1B1 polypeptide or portions thereof.

Nucleic acids of the invention are useful as tools for generating or enhancing a CYP1B1-specific immune response in an individual. Because the nucleic acids lack translational repressor elements contained in naturally occurring CYP1B1 transcripts, they allow for production of a CYP1B1 protein or portion thereof and thus promote the development of an immune response. Because the nucleic acids of the invention can encode multiple CYP1B1 epitopes, they are useful in generating immune responses in a population containing a wide variety of MHC allotypes. The nucleic acids of the invention can also contain mutations, deletions, insertions, or rearrangements that help to promote the immunogenicity of the encoded protein. In this way, a protein containing an altered CYP1B1 sequence may cause tolerance to self may to be broken. In addition, the nucleic acids of the invention, because they lack translational repressor elements contained in naturally occurring CYP1B1 transcripts, are useful for generating CYP1B1 polypeptides or portions thereof, either in vitro or in vivo.

Nucleic Acid

The nucleic acids of the invention contain a transcriptional unit that (1) encodes a CYP1B1 polypeptide or a portion thereof, but (2) does not correspond to a naturally occurring CYP1B1 transcript. The sequence of a human CYP1B1 nucleic acid (SEQ ID NO:1) and protein (SEQ ID NO:2) are depicted in FIGS. 1A-1D. These sequences are used herein as references to describe nucleic acids of the invention. Sequences of naturally-occurring human CYP1B1 nucleic acids are described in GenBank™ Accession UO3688 and Tang et al. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271:28324, the contents of which are incorporated by reference. Orthologous CYP1B1 sequences have been identified in other mammals, such as rat and mouse (Walker et al. (1995) Carcinogenesis 16:1319; Shen et al. (1994) DNA Cell Biology 13:763; Savas et al. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269:14905; herein incorporated by reference). Modified forms of eukaryotic CYP1B1 nucleic acids, e.g., human, rat, and mouse, are encompassed by the invention.

The nucleic acids of the invention differ from naturally occurring CYP1B1 nucleic acids in that the transcriptional units lack certain sequences contained in the 5′ and/or 3′ UTR that act as translational repressor elements. The identity of a translational repressor element can be determined in various ways.

In a first method of determining whether a nucleotide sequence contains a translational repressor element, the sequence of the full length RNA is analyzed, e.g., by a computer program, for the presence of consensus sequences associated with translational repression. For example, a computer analysis can identify sequences that may be bound by repressor agents, e.g., repressor proteins. In another example, a computer analysis can identify sequences that act as RNA destabilization sequences, e.g., nucleotide sequences whose presence reduces the half life of a transcript, at least in certain cellular environments. In another example, a computer analysis can identify consensus sequences that may form a secondary structure in a transcript and that are associated with translational repression.

An analysis of the UTR of the CYP1B1 RNA transcript corresponding to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 identified regions of putative secondary structure. This analysis was performed using the program infold version 3.0 by Zuker and Turner (Zuker at al. (1999) Algorithms and Thermodynamics for RNA Secondary Structure Prediction: A Practical Guide, In RNA Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 11-43, J. Barciszewski & B. F. C. Clark, eds., NATO ASI Series, Kluwer Academic Publishers; Mathews et al. (1999) J. Mol. Biol. 288:911-940). mfold is a an implementation of the Zuker algorithm for RNA secondary structure prediction based on free energy minimization. The folding temperature in this analysis is fixed at 37° C.

Regions of predicted secondary structure in the CYP1B1 RNA transcript are depicted in Table 1. Because these regions constitute putative repressors of translation, a nucleic acid of the invention can lack one or more, e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15, of these sequences, SEQ ID NOs:3-17.

TABLE 1 Secondary Structure Analysis of Untranslated Regions of the CYP1B1 Transcript Location in SEQ ID NO: 1 UTR Length SEQ ID NO: nucleotides 42-62 5′ 21 3 nucleotides 72-112 5′ 41 4 nucleotides 262-322 5′ 61 5 nucleotides 262-362 5′ 101 6 nucleotides 2022-2092 3′ 71 7 nucleotides 2092-2162 3′ 71 8 nucleotides 2222-2242 3′ 21 9 nucleotides 2092-4272 3′ 2181 10 nucleotides 2287-2762 3′ 476 11 nucleotides 2252-4972 3′ 2721 12 nucleotides 4352-4812 3′ 461 13 nucleotides 4372-4822 3′ 451 14 nucleotides 4832-4892 3′ 61 15 nucleotides 4942-5002 3′ 61 16 nucleotides 5012-5134 3′ 123 17

In a second method of determining whether a nucleotide sequence contains a translational repressor element, translational repressor elements can be identified by an empirical determination of the amount of protein produced by a modified CYP1B1 transcript as compared to a wild type CYP1B1 transcript. For example, a UTR deletion mutant of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 is constructed, the mutant and the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 are each expressed in separate cell populations, and the amount of CYP1B1 protein produced from each of the mutant and the wild type is compared. If the modified transcript results in enhanced protein production as compared to the wild type CYP1B1, then it is expected to have one or more translational repressor elements. For example, a nucleic acid of the invention may lack the 5′ UTR sequence of SEQ ID NO:18 (nucleotides 1-362 of SEQ ID NO:1). In another example, a nucleic acid can lack the 3′ UTR sequence of SEQ ID NO:19 (nucleotides 2011-5128 of SEQ ID NO:1). In another example, a nucleic acid can lack both SEQ ID NO:18 and 19. In addition to nucleic acids lacking all of SEQ ID NO:18 and/or SEQ ID NO:19, the invention also includes nucleic acids that lack a specific number of consecutive nucleotides, e.g., at least 400, 300, 200, 150, 100, 50, 25, or 10, of SEQ ID NO:18 and/or SEQ ID NO:19. This analysis can be performed in conjunction with the computer analysis described above.

The nucleic acids of the invention can also differ from naturally occurring CYP1B1 nucleic acids in that they may contain mutations, deletions, insertions, or rearrangements that help to promote the immunogenicity of the encoded CYP1B1 protein or variant thereof. Methods of determining immunogenicity of a protein are well known in the art and include immunization of an animal with the nucleic acid, and subsequent removal and analysis of the lymph node, spleen, blood, or serum for T cell or B cell responses. Standard assays are described herein and include Cr51, Elispot, tetramer, ELISA, and intracellular cytokine staining analysis by FACS to measure cytotoxic T cells (CTL) specific for CYP1B1, Elispot and T cell proliferation studies to measure T helper responses, and ELISA and western analysis to measure B cell responses.

Modifications to a CYP1B1 nucleic acid, e.g., SEQ ID NO:1, can be made by methods well known to those of still in the art. Deletions of particular 5′ and/or 3′ UTR sequences can be achieved by PCR amplification of a template using appropriate primer pairs and subcloning of the amplified product into an expression vector. For example, a nucleic acid lacking SEQ ID NO:18 and SEQ ID NO:19 can be constructed by PCR amplification, with the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO:1 as a template, using primers that correspond to regions 363-382 of SEQ ID NO:1 (primer 1) and regions 1991-2010 of SEQ ID NO:1 (primer 2).

FIGS. 2A-2C depict three examples of CYP1B1-encoding nucleic acids. These figures refer to nucleotide positions of SEQ ID NO:1. FIG. 2A is the full length CYP1B1 nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO:1. FIG. 2B is a truncated form of SEQ ID NO:1, lacking a portion of the 5′UTR and 3′ UTR. FIG. 2C lacks all 5′ UTR as well as all 3′ UTR sequences present in the CYP IBI nucleic acid of FIG. 2A.

Regulatory elements can be included in the nucleic acid to facilitate expression of the nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide. These elements include sequences for enhancing expression in human or other mammalian cells, e.g., promoters and/or enhancers. For example, a T7 polymerase promoter, a viral promoter such as CMV, RSV, or LTR, a tissue-specific promoter such as a muscle-specific promoter, a cell-specific promoter such as an APC-specific promoter, or an inducible promoter is optionally present at the 5′ end of the coding sequence. Examples of inducible promoters include a metallothionine promoter (see, e.g., Testa et al. (1994) Cancer Res. 54:4508) an a tetracycline-responsive promoter (see, e.g., Giavazzi et al. (2001) 61:309)

The nucleic acid can also include an RNA stabilization sequence, e.g., an RNA stabilization sequence derived from the Xenopus laevis β-globin gene, 5′ and/or 3′ to the coding sequence; an intron (which can be placed at any location within or adjacent to the coding sequence); a poly(A) addition site; an origin of replication; and one or more genes encoding selectable markers, e.g., a kanamycin resistance gene or auxotrophic marker, enabling the constructs to replicate and be selected in prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic hosts.

The nucleic acid can also include a translational regulatory sequence that is not derived from a naturally occurring CYP1B1 transcript. Examples of translational regulatory sequence are known in the art (see, e.g., Aziz and Munro (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:8478). The addition of a translational regulatory sequence to a transcriptional unit described herein can allow for translational regulation of protein expression. For example, the first 67 nucleotides of the 5′ UTR of the ferritin mRNA (Aziz and Munro supra) can be coupled to a transcriptional unit described herein to render translation of the encoded protein an iron-responsive event.

The nucleic acid may also contain other transcriptional and translational signals, such as a Kozak sequence, as well as a sequence encoding an antibody determinant such as a FLAG, myc, HA, or His tag, optionally present at the 5′ or 3′end of the coding sequence before the termination codon.

Nucleic acids encoding CYP1B1 polypeptides can be used in any vector that allows for expression in antigen-presenting cells (APC) of a mammal. The nucleic acid may be cloned into an expression vector, i.e., a vector in which the coding sequence is operably linked to expression control sequences. Vectors useful in this invention include linear nucleic acid fragments or circular DNAs, plasmid vectors, viral vectors, fungal vectors, and bacterial vectors. A “plasmid” is an autonomous, self-replicating, extrachromosomal, circular DNA. Preferred viral vectors are those derived from retroviruses, adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, pox viruses, SV40 virus, alpha viruses or herpes viruses. An example of a suitable vector is the family of pcDNA mammalian expression vectors (Invitrogen).

A nucleic acid can encode a single polypeptide or multiple polypeptides, each under the control of a different promoter, e.g., dual promoter vectors. A dual promoter vector permits two shorter polypeptides to replace the single longer version, with no loss in the number of epitopes produced from a given vector. It also allows adding new CYP1B1 sequences without altering the sequence, and perhaps the processing, of the first polypeptide. It also allows coding of two unrelated proteins such as CYP1B1 and an immunostimulating agent. Alternatively, a nucleic acid contains IRES sequences located between two coding sequences, e.g., between nucleic acid sequences encoding two polypeptides described herein. The IRES sequences cause the ribosome to attach to the initiator codon of the downstream translational unit and translate a second protein from a single polycistronic mRNA. Expression vectors encoding two or more polypeptides can optionally encode one secreted polypeptide and one non-secreted polypeptide. Such a vector can be used to induce both a T cell response and a B cell response. It also can be used to code for two unrelated proteins such as CYP1B1 and an immunostimulating agent

CYP1B1 Polypeptides

The nucleic acids of the invention encode polypeptides containing CYP1B1 or a portion thereof that contains at least one peptide epitope that binds to an MHC class I or class II molecule or immunoglobulin receptor. The nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide described herein can encode a methionine residue at the amino terminus of the polypeptide to facilitate translation. The polypeptide can contain multiple epitopes of CYP1B1 as well as multiple segments of CYP1B1, each of which contains one or more epitopes. MHC-binding epitopes of CYP1B1 can be identified by methods well known to those of skill in the art. MHC class I-binding peptides are typically 8-10 amino acid residues in length, whereas MHC class II-binding peptides are typically 12-30 amino acid residues in length.

Epitopes that bind to a specific MHC allele can be identified by first synthesizing a series of overlapping peptide fragments from CYP1B1 and testing the peptides in art-recognized binding studies with a radiolabeled peptide known to bind to the MHC allele. If a test peptide demonstrates specific binding to an MHC allele as measured by, for example, competition with the radiolabeled test peptide (i.e., it is an epitope), the epitope can be combined with additional epitopes (overlapping or adjacent) to produce or define a segment. Examples of these and related methods can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,135, WO 99/45954, and WO 044775A2, herein incorporated by reference.

Alternatively, epitopes can be identified by refolding soluble MHC class I molecules in the presence of radiolabeled β2-microglobulin and a test peptide. The complete complex will refold and produce a receptor of the correct size. β2-microglobulin dissociates from the complex at a measurable rate that is directly correlated with the binding affinity of the test peptide (Garboczi et al. (1992) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 89:3429; Parker at al. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267:5451; and Parker et al. (1992) J. Immunol. 149:1896). Analysis of this type of data has resulted in an algorithm that predicts the dissociation times of a given test peptide for an HLA-A2 receptor (Parker et al. (1994) J. Immunol. 152:163). Fast dissociation has been correlated with low affinity, and slow dissociation with high affinity. This algorithm has been expanded and is available for predicting binding affinity of epitopes for the HLA-A allotypes, -A1, -A2, -A3, -A11, and -A24. The algorithm can be found at the web site (http://wwwbimas.dcrt.nih.gov/molbio/hla_bind/index.html). For an epitope to generate effective cytotoxic T cell (CTL) responses, it must bind to an MHC molecule on an antigen-presenting cell (APC), and the resulting receptor-ligand complex must be recognized by a T cell receptor expressed on the CTL.

Alternatively, epitopes may be identified by identifying MHC class I or class II-binding peptides using techniques described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,516, and U.S. Ser. No. 09/372,380, herein incorporated by reference.

Epitopes that bind in vitro to MHC molecules as described above can be analyzed for their effectiveness at stimulating human T cell-responses (or used to generate a T cell response) in an in vitro immunization assay (see, e.g., Schultze et al. (1997) J. Clin. Invest. 100:2757). Such an assay has been used previously to identify human and murine T cell-responsive epitopes (Alexander et al. (1996) Amer. J. Obstet. and Gynecol. 175:1586; Tarpey et al. (1994) Immunology 81:222). These assays have also been used to generate large numbers of specific CTL for immunotherapy (Tsai et al. (1998) Crit. Rev. Immunol. 18:65). To ensure reliability, it is desirable to perform the first round of T cell stimulation in the presence of dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with the test peptide. Moreover, inclusion of IL-10 during the stimulation may suppress the non-specific responses that may sometimes arise during culture of the cells. T cell activation may then be examined using an ELISA assay to measure λ-IFN secretion, by ELISPOT to measure cytokines such as IL-10, IL-4, TNFα, IFN-γ or IL-2, or by use of FACS to determine the increase in CD8+, CD16− cells containing cytokines such as λ-IFN by tricolor analysis. Alternatively, T cell activation can be measured using a ⁵¹Cr release CTL assay or a tetramer-based assay (see, e.g., Molldrem et al. (2000) Nature Med. 6:1018).

It is possible that not every individual with a given allotype will respond to a particular epitope. For example, one individual whose cells bear the HLA-A2 allotype may respond to a given epitope, whereas a second such individual may not. To overcome this difficulty, T cells from two donors, and even more preferably three donors, for each HLA allotype can be tested to verify that it is a T cell epitope. For the more common alleles (i.e., HLA-A2 and -A3) up to four donors are preferably tested.

Each epitope is tested initially with cells from one donor. If an epitope does not stimulate a T cell response using cells of the first donor, it is tested again with cells from a second donor, and then a third donor. If the epitope does not demonstrate T cell reactivity after two or three attempts, it is optionally not chosen for inclusion in a polypeptide.

Altering the method by which the in vitro presentation of antigen is performed may enhance analysis. An initial stimulation of T cells with DCs is typically part of the in vitro immunization. To enhance the immunization, DCs can be added at each round of stimulation to ensure adequate antigen presentation and T cell stimulation, e.g., using previously generated and subsequently frozen DCs. Alternatively, enhanced T cell stimulation can be achieved by activating the antigen presenting cells (APC) with an antibody binding to the APCs cell surface CD40 receptor.

Alternatively, the epitopes can be selected for inclusion in the construct based solely on their binding affinity to HLA molecules, or identified based upon analysis of naturally processed peptides, as described herein and in Chicz et al. (1993) J. Exp. Med. 178:27 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,516.

B cell epitopes can be selected based on their ability to induce immune responses in mammals. For example, CYP1B1 peptides are mixed with freund's adjuvant and injected into mice. Serum from immunized animals is collected and tested by Western blot for reactivity to CYP1B1 (commercially available, Gentest, Woburn Mass.).

Polypeptides encoded by nucleic acids of the invention do not necessarily include the full length CYP1B1 protein of SEQ ID NO:2. For example, a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid of the invention can lack the bioactivation properties of naturally occurring CYP1B1 (see, e.g., Heidel at al. (2000) Cancer Res. 60:3454). A nucleic acid encoding a CYP1B1 polypeptide or portion thereof can include a coding sequence that contains a loss of function mutation, e.g., an insertion, a deletion, a frameshift mutation, or a single nucleotide mutation (Bailey at al. (1998) Cancer Res. 58:5038). Examples of frameshift mutations in a CYP1B1 coding sequence are described in Stoilov at al. (1997) Hum. Mol. Gen. 6:641 and Sarfarazi et al. (1997) Hum. Mol. Gen. 6:1667. In another example, a polypeptide can lack all or part of the hinge region (e.g., about amino acids 38-61 of SEQ ID NO:2) or conserved core sequence of the heme-binding portion of CYP1B1 located between about amino acids 400-540 of SEQ ID NO:2 (Stoilov et al. (1998) Am. J. Human Genet. 62:573). In another example, a polypeptide can lack all or part the oxidation-reduction domain of CYP1B1, or have mutations in active site regions (Lewis et al. (1999) Toxicology 139:53), or in regions required for protein folding or stability. In another example, a polypeptide can lack all or part of a CYP1B1 transmembrane region located between about amino acids 18-37 of SEQ ID NO:2.

FIG. 3 depicts a CYP1B1 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO:2) and fragments and variants thereof. The various polypeptides depicted in FIG. 3 can be encoded by CYP1B1-encoding nucleic acids described herein, e.g., nucleic acids lacking all or a portion of a 5′ UTR and/or a 3′ UTR. Some of the polypeptides include the peptide of SEQ ID NO:22. The following is a description of the CYP1B1 fragments and variants depicted in FIG. 3.

SEQ ID NO:31

This polypeptide contains a deletion of four amino acids (residues 51-54 of SEQ ID NO:2) in the hinge region of CYP1B1. This polypeptide contains amino acid changes, as compared to the wild type protein, at residues 57 (W to C), 61(G to E), 365(G to W), 379(P to L), and 387(E to K). The altered residues are underlined. The amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:31 is recited as follows:

MGTSLSPNDPWPLNPLSIQQTTLLLLLSVLATVHVGQRLLRQRRRQL RSAFACPLIENAAAVGQAAHLSFARLARRYGDVFQIRLGSCPIVVLN GERAIHQALVQQGSAFADRPAFASFRVVSGGRSMAFGHYSEHWKVQR RAAHSMMRNFFTRQPRSRQVLEGHVLSEARELVALLVRGSADGAFLD PRPLTVVAVANVMSAVCFGCRYSHDDPEFRELLSHNEEFGRTVGAGS LVDVMPWLQYFPNPVRTVFREFEQLNRNFSNFILDKFLRHCESLRPG AAPRDMMDAFILSAEKKAAGDSHGGGARLDLENVPATTTDIFGASQD TLSTALQWLLLLFTRYPDVQTRVQAELDQVVWRDRLPCMGDQPNLLY VLAFLYKAMRFSSFVPVTIPHATTANTSVLGYHIPKDTVVFVNQWSV NHDPVKWPNPENFDPARFLDKDGLINKDLTSRVMIFSVGKRRCIGEE LSKMQLFLFISILAHQCDFRANPNEPAKMNFSYGLTIKPKSFKVNVT LRESMELLDSAVQNLQAKETCQEQKLISEEDL.

SEQ ID NO:32

This polypeptide contains a deletion of amino acids 1-60 of SEQ ID NO:2. The deletion encompasses the ER domain, transmembrane domain, and hinge region of CYP1B1. A methionine (underlined) is positioned at the amino terminus of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:32. This polypeptide contains amino acid changes, as compared to the wild type protein, at residues 365(G to W), 379(P to L), and 387(E to K). The altered residues are also underlined. This sequence has been denoted F1R1. The amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:32 is recited as follows:

MGNAAAVGQAAHLSFARLARRYGDVFQIRLGSCPIVVLNGERAIHQ ALVQQGSAFADRPAFASFRVVSGGRSMAFGHYSEHWKVQRRAAHSM MRNFFTRQPRSRQVLEGHVLSEARELVALLVRGSADGAFLDPRPLT VVAVANVMSAVCFGCRYSHDDPEFRELLSHNEEFGRTVGAGSLVDV MPWLQYFPNPVRTVFREFEQLNRNFSNFILDIKFLRHCESLRPGAA PRDMMDAFIESAEKKAAGDSHGGGARLDLENVPATITDIFGASQDT LSTALQWLLLLFTRYPDVQTRVQAELDQVVWRDRLPCMGDQPNLLY VLAFLYKAMRFSSFVPVTIPHATTANTSVLGYHEPKDTVVFVNQWS VNHDPVKWPNPENFDPARFLDKDGLINKDLTSRVMIFSVGKRRCIG EELSKMQLFLFISILAHQCDFRANPNEPAKMNFSYGLTIKPKSFKV NVTLRESMELLDSAVQNLQAKETCQEQKLISEEDL.

SEQ ID NO:33

This polypeptide contains a deletion of amino acids 1-60 and 462-543 of SEQ ID NO:2. The deletion encompasses the ER domain, transmembrane domain, and hinge region of CYP1B1. A methionine (underlined) is placed at the amino terminus of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:33. This polypeptide contains amino acid changes, as compared to the wild type protein, at residues 365 (G to W), 379 (P to L), and 387 (E to K). The altered residues are also underlined. This sequence has been denoted F1R2. The amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:33 is recited as follows:

MGNAAAVGQAAHLSFARLARRYGDVFQIRLGSCPIVVLNGERAIHQ ALVQQGSAFADRPAFASFRVVSGGRSMAFGHYSEHWKVQRRAAHSM MRNFFTRQPRSRQVLEGHVLSEARELVALLVRGSADGAFLDPRPLT VVAVANVMSAVCFGCRYSHDDPEFRELLSHNEEFGRTVGAGSLVDV MPWLQYFPNPVRTVFREFEQLNRNFSNFILDKFLRHCESLRPGAAP RDMMDAFILSAEKKAAGDSHGGGARLDLENVPATTTDIFGASQDTL STALQWLLLLFTRYPDVQTRVQAELDQVVWRDRLPCMGDQPNLLYV LAFLYKAMRFSSFVPVTIPHATTANTSVLGYHIPKDTVVFVNQWSV NHDPVKWPNPENFDPARFLDKDGLIMCDLTSRVMEQKLISEEDL.

SEQ ID NO:34

This polypeptide contains a deletion of amino acids 1-171 of SEQ ID NO:2. The deletion encompasses the ER domain, transmembrane domain, and hinge region of CYP1B1. A methionine (underlined) is placed at the amino terminus of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:34. This polypeptide contains amino acid changes, as compared to the wild type protein, at residues 365 (G to W), 379 (P to L), and 387 (E to K). The altered residues are also underlined. This sequence has been denoted F2R1. The amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34 is recited as follows:

MSEARELVALLVRGSADGAFLDPRPLTVVAVANVMSAVCFGCRYS HDDPEFRELLSHNEEFGRTVGAGSLVDVMPWLQYFPNPVRTVFRE FEQLNRNFSNFILDKFLRHCESLRPGAAPRDMMDAFILSAEKKAA GDSHGGGARLDLENVPATTTDIFGASQDTLSTALQWLLLLFTRYP DVQTRVQAELDQVVWRDRLPCMGDQPNLLYVLAFLYKAMRFSSFV PVTIPHATTANTSVLGYHIPKDTVVFVNQWSVNHDPVKWPNPENF DPARFLDKDGLINKDLTSRVMIFSVGRKKCIGEELSKMQLFLFIS ILAHQCDFRANPNEPAKMNFSYGLTIKPKSFKVNVTLRESMELLD SAVQNLQAKETCQEQKLISEEDL.

SEQ ID NO:35

This polypeptide contains a deletion of amino acids 1-171 and 462-543 of SEQ ID NO:2. The deletion encompasses the ER domain, transmembrane domain, and hinge region of CYP1B1. A methionine (underlined) is placed at the amino terminus of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:35. This polypeptide contains amino acid changes, as compared to the wild type protein, at residues 365 (G to W), 379 (P to L), and 387 (E to K). The altered residues are also underlined. This sequence has been denoted F2R2. The amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 is recited as follows:

MSEARLEVALLVRGSADGAFLDPRPLTVVAVANVMSAVCFGCRY SHDDPEFRELLSHNEEFGRTVGAGSLVDVMPWLQYFPNPVRTVF REFEQLNRNFSNFILDKFLRHCESLRPGAAPRDMMDAFILSAEK KAAGDHSGGGARLDLENVPATTTDIFGASQDTLSTALQWLLLLF TRYPDVQTRVQAELDQVVWRDRLPCMGDQPNLLYVLAFLYKAMR FSSFVPVTIPHATTANTSVLGYHIPKDTVVFVNQWSVNHDPVKW PNPENFDPARFLDKDGLINKDLTSRVMEQKLISEEDL.

SEQ ID NO:36

This polypeptide contains a deletion of amino acids 1-292 of SEQ ID NO:2. The deletion encompasses the ER domain, transmembrane domain, and hinge region of CYP1B1. This polypeptide contains amino acid changes, as compared to the wild type protein, at residues 365 (G to W), 379 (P to L), and 387 (E to K). The altered residues are underlined. This sequence has been denoted F3R1. The amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36 is recited as follows:

MDAFILSAEKKAAGDSHGGGARLDLENPATTTDIFGASQDTLS TALQWLLLLFTRYPDVQTRVQAELDQVVWRDRLPCMGDQPNLL YVLAFLYKAMRFSSFVPVTIPHATTANTSVLGYHIPKDTVVFV NQWSVNHDPVKWPNPENFDPARFLDKDGLINKDLTSRVMIFSV GKRRCIGEELSKMQLFLFISILAHQCDFRANPNEPAKMNFSYG LTIKPKSFKVNVTLRESMELLDSAVQNLQAKETCQEQKLISEE DL.

SEQ ID NO:37

This polypeptide contains a deletion of amino acids 1-292 and 462-543 of SEQ ID NO:2. The deletion encompasses the ER domain, transmembrane domain, and hinge region of CYP1B1. This polypeptide contains amino acid changes, as compared to the wild type protein, at residues 365 (G to W), 379 (P to L), and 387 (E to K). The altered residues are underlined. This sequence has been denoted F3R2. The amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:37 is recited as follows:

MDAFILSAEKKAAGDSHGGGARLDLENVPATTTDIFGASQDTL STALQWLLLLFTFYPDVQTRVQAELDQVVWRDLRLPCMGDQPN LLYVLAFLYKAMRFSSFVPVTIPHATTANTSVLGYHIPKDTVV FVNQWSVNHDPVKWPNPENFDPARFLDKDGLINKDLTSRVMEQ KLISEEDL.

An insertion, deletion, frameshift mutation, or single nucleotide mutation can be introduced into a CYP1B1 polypeptide sequence to result in a polypeptide with an altered stability and/or biological activity as compared to the wild type protein. By altering the stability of a CYP1B1 polypeptide, this can affect its processing by the cellular machinery. For example, a CYP1B1 polypeptide with decreased stability is expected to undergo increased processing, thereby resulting in an increase in CYP1B1 peptides presented by MHC class I and/or class II molecules. By altering (e.g., reducing or eliminating) the biological activity of CYP1B1, unwanted activity such as enzymatic activity can be reduced or eliminated.

The following are examples of CYP1B1 polypeptides containing alterations at three (SEQ ID NO:38) and five (SEQ ID NO:39) amino acid residues, as compared to the wild type CYP1B1 protein.

SEQ ID NO:38

This polypeptide contains amino acid changes, as compared to the wild type protein, at residues 57 (W to C), 61 (G to E), and 365 (G to W). The altered residues are underlined. The amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:38 is recited as follows:

MGTSLSPNDPWPLNPLSIQQTTLLLLSVLATVHVGQRLLRQR RRQLRSAPPGPFACPLIENAAAVGQAAHLFFARLARRYGDVF QIRLGSCPIVVLNGERAIHQALVQQGSAFADRPAFASFRVVS GGRSMAFGHYSEHWKVQRRAAHSMMRNFFTRQPRSRQVLEGH VLSEARELVALLVRGSADGAFLDPRPLTVVAVANVMSAVCFG CRYSHDDPEFRELLSHNEEFGRTVGAGSLVDVMPWLQYFPNP VRTVFREFEQLNRNFSNFILDKFLRHCESLRPGAAPRDMMDA FILSAEKKAAGDSHGGGARLDLENVPATTTDIFGASQDTLST ALQWLLLLFTRYPDVQTRVQAELDQVVWRDRLPCMGDQPNLP YVLAFLYEAMRFSSFVPVTIPHATTANTSVLGYHIPKDTVVF VNQWSVNHDPVKWPNPENFDPARFLDKDGLINKDLTSRVMIF SVGKRRCIGEELSKMQLFLFISILAHQCDFRANPNEPAKMNF SYGLTIKPKSFKVNVTLRESMELLDSAVQNLQAKETCQ.

SEQ ID NO:39

This polypeptide contains amino acid changes, as compared to the wild type protein, at residues 57 (W to C), 61 (G to E), 365 (G to W), 379 (P to L), and 387 (E to K). The altered residues are underlined. The amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 is recited as follows:

MGTSLSPNDPWPLNPLSIQQTTLLLLLSVLATVHVGQRLLR QRRRQLRSAPPGPFACPLIENAAAVGQAAHLSFARLARRYG DVFQIRLGSCPIVVLNGERAIHQALVQQGSAFADRPAFASF RVVSGGRSMAFGHYSEHWKVQRRAAHSMMRNFFTRQPRSRQ VLEGHVLSEARLELVALLVRGSADGAFLDPRPLTVVAVANV MSAVCFGCRYSHDDPEFRELLSHNEEFGRTVGAGSLVDVMP WLQYFPNPVRTVFREFEQLNRNFSNFILDKFLRHCESLRPG AAPRDMMDAFILSAEKKAAGDSHGGGARLDLENVPATTTDI FGASQDTLSTALQWLLLLFTRYPDVQTRVQAELDQVVWRDR LPCMGDQPNLLYVLAFLYKAMRFSSFVPVTIPHATTANTSV LGYHIPKDTVVFVNQWSVNHDPVKWPNPENFDPARFLDKDG LINKDLTSRVMIFSVGKRRCIGEELSKMQLFLFISILAHQC DFRANPNEPAKMNFSYGLTIKPKSFKVNVTLRESMELLDSA VQNLQAKETCQ.

As described above, polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acids described herein include all of CYP1B1 or a portion thereof that binds to an MHC class I or class II molecule or immunoglobulin receptor. A polypeptide can contain 25, 50, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500 or more amino acids corresponding to a sequence of consecutive amino acids present in SEQ ID NO:2. Additionally, the polypeptide can be less than 300, 200, 150, 100, or 50 amino acids in length. For example, the polypeptide can contain SEQ ID NO:20 (amino acids 1-272 of SEQ ID NO:2) or SEQ ID NO:21 (amino acids 273-544 of SEQ ID NO:2).

Any of the CYP1B1 polypeptides or fragments thereof described herein can contain all or a portion of a sequence identical to the wild type CYP1B1 protein or an altered CYP1B1 sequence. For example, polypeptides having the structure of any of those described herein (e.g., the polypeptides depicted in FIG. 3) can be made so as to include any one or more (e.g., one, two, three, four, or five) of the amino acid alterations contained in the polypeptides of SEQ ID NO:38 and/or SEQ ID NO:39.

A polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid described herein can contain the amino acid sequence FLDPRPLTV (SEQ ID NO:22), which corresponds to amino acid residues 190-198 of SEQ ID NO:2). The peptide of SEQ ID NO:22 is a naturally processed epitope of the CYP1B1 polypeptide. Additionally, a polypeptide can include at least 8 amino acids derived from the sequence of SEQ ID NO:23 (amino acid residues 185-205 of SEQ ID NO:2). A polypeptide containing SEQ ID NO:22 or SEQ ID NO:23 can be less than 300, 200, 150, 100, or 50 amino acids in length.

The nucleic acids of the invention may in addition include one or more sequences encoding targeting signals that direct the polypeptide to a desired intracellular compartment, the targeting signal being linked to the polypeptide. Targeting signals (the term is used interchangeably with trafficking signal or targeting sequence) can target the protein for secretion or can direct the polypeptide to endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the golgi, the nucleus, a lysosome, a class II peptide loading compartment, or an endosome, and include signal peptides (the amino terminal sequences which direct proteins into the ER during translation), ER retention peptides such as KDEL (SEQ ID NO:24), and lysosome-targeting peptides such as KFERQ (SEQ ID NO:25), QREFK (SEQ ID NO:26), and other pentapeptides having Q flanked on one side by four residues selected from K, R, D, E, F, I, V, and L. Also included are targeting signals that direct the secretion of the polypeptide (e.g., SEQ ID NO:40). Also included are targeting signals that direct insertion of the polypeptide into a membrane (e.g., a transmembrane sequence). Polypeptides including a membrane insertion sequence can be constructed either with or without a cytoplasmic tail.

An example of an ER-targeting sequence is the HLA-DRa leader sequence, MAISGVPVLGFFIIAVLMSAQESWA (SEQ ID NO:27). The targeting sequence may include only a portion (e.g., at least ten amino acid residues) of this specified 25 residue sequence, provided that the portion is sufficient to cause targeting of the polypeptide to the ER. Another example of a targeting sequence is the E1A sequence.

Nuclear localization sequences include nucleoplasmin- and SV40-like nuclear targeting signals, as described in Chelsky et al. (1989) Mol. Cell Biol. 9:2487; Robbins (1991) Cell 64:615; and Dingwall et al. (1991) TIBS16:478. Some nuclear localization sequences include AVKRPAATKKAGQAKKK (SEQ ID NO:28), RPAATKKAGQAKKKKLD (SEQ ID NO:29), and AVKRPAATKKAGQAKKKLD (SEQ ID NO:30).

In some cases it is desirable to modify the amino acid sequence of the targeting signal to facilitate cleavage by a signal peptidase or other proteolytic agent. Recognition sequences for signal peptidases are described in Voa Heijne (1986) Nucleic Acids Research 14:4683. The −3, −1 rules of von Heijne can be used to select a sequence that increases the probability of successful cleavage by signal peptidase when the targeting signal is present.

In some cases it is desirable to modify the polypeptide sequence, with respect to the wild type CYP1B1 sequence, by altering the stability of the polypeptide. One method of decreasing the stability of a polypeptide is by facilitating its targeting it to the proteasome. For example, a targeting signal comprising ubiquitin sequences can be linked to a polypeptide described herein, so as to target the polypeptide to the cellular proteasome for degradation (see, e.g., Hochstrasser (1995) Curr. Opin. Cell. Biol. 7:215-223; Rodriguez et al. (1997) J. Virol. 71:8497-8503). In another method of decreasing the stability of a polypeptide, a polypeptide can lack all or a portion of a CYP1B1 sequence that contributes to protein stability, e.g., all or a portion of the hinge region (about amino acids 38-61 of SEQ ID NO:2). In one example, a polypeptide lacks the PPGP region located between amino acids 51-54 of SEQ ID NO:2 (see, e.g., the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:31).

Alternatively, a polypeptide can lack a targeting signal, which will cause the polypeptide to be located in the cytoplasm.

Once expressed in a cell, the encoded peptide can be processed into one of several MHC class I binding epitopes. The MHC molecule, upon binding to the peptide, can activate a T cell response. MHC class II binding peptides may also be generated from the encoded peptide. These peptides would be expected to activate T helper cells or CTL upon presentation by the MHC class II expressing cells. Other receptors may also bind the encoded peptide or its processed fragments to activate immune cells such as NK or B cells. These cells may also be activated by cytokines elicited in response to the peptides of the invention. In one example, secretion signals such as SEQ ID NO:40 are added to the polypeptide, resulting in the secretion of the polypeptide and the activation of immune cells such as B cells.

In those polypeptides containing multiple segments of CYP1B1, the order of the segments within the polyepitope polypeptide can correspond to the order in which the segments appear in the native CYP1B1 protein, though some of the amino acid sequence (i.e., at least one residue) between the individual segments in the native protein may be deleted. Alternatively, the segment order may differ from that in the naturally occurring protein. A protein created by this process may have been designed via molecular evolution (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,970), exon shuffling or domain shuffling approaches.

To determine whether the polypeptide is processed and the epitopes are presented by MHC, an in vitro T cell stimulation assay can be performed using autologous spleen cells, PBL, or EBV-transformed cells infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus that contain the polyepitope polypeptide coding sequence. These target cells are generated by incubating spleen cells or PBL with the recombinant vaccinia at an multiplicity of infection (moi) of 3-10 plaque forming units (pfu)/cell at 37° C. for 2 hours. After infection, cells are pelleted, washed and used as targets in the in vitro stimulation assay. The stimulated T cells from one or more individuals, e.g., a mouse or a human, with the different MHC allotypes (or from one or more individuals immunized with CYP1B1 polypeptides or nucleic acid constructs) are incubated with the target cells, and the ability of the target cells to stimulate the T cells is measured, e.g., by λ-interferon expression or secretion.

Alternatively, epitope processing from the polyepitope polypeptide can be examined using proteasomes purified from human cells (Theobald et al. (1998) J. Exp. Med. 188:1017; Kisselev et al. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 289:3363; and Nussbaum at al. (1998) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. (USA) 95:12404).

In addition to the T cell assays, an assay that utilizes mice, e.g., transgenic mice, can be used to verify that the construct functions (e.g., epitopes are correctly processed and presented) when delivered in vivo. For measuring HLA-A2-restricted presentation, the polyepitope construct in a mammalian expression vector (e.g., a plasmid) is encapsulated in microparticles and introduced into HLA-A2 transgenic mice by a route such as intramuscular or subcutaneous injection. The construct may alternatively be administered without the microparticle delivery vehicle, e.g., in a recombinant viral or bacterial vector, e.g., vaccinia virus or as naked DNA. T cell responses are subsequently examined in vitro (Hedley et al., Nature Med. 4:365-68, 1998). Target cells can be T2A2 cells (T2 cells transfected with DNA encoding HLA-A2) or EL4.A2 cells (EL4 cells transfected with DNA encoding HLA-A2) pulsed with the A2 epitope being tested and T2A2 cells into which has been introduced a nucleic acid of the invention. Parallel studies are performed using EL4.A2 or T2A2 cells pulsed with no peptide or with an irrelevant peptide. In this way, HLA-A2 epitopes that are processed and presented in vivo following administration of the nucleic acid of the invention are identified. A positive result suggests that processing of the polyepitope polypeptide is occurring as predicted.

Alternately, polyepitope polypeptides may be made according to methods of Henke, et al. (1998) Vaccine 16:426, or as described in U.S. Ser. No. 60/154,665 and U.S. Ser. No. 60/169,846, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Immunostimulatory Agent

A composition can include a nucleic acid as described herein as well as an adjuvant or immunostimulatory agent or a nucleic acid encoding an immunostimulatory agent. Examples of useful adjuvants and immunostimulatory agents include: ISCOMS, virus like particles (VLPs), alum, gold, freund's adjuvant, cytokines such as IL-12, GM-CSF, IL-2, or IFN-gamma; cell surface receptors such as B7-1, B7-2 or CCR5; lipopolysaccharide (LPS); monophosphoryl lipid A; QS21; CpG-containing oligonucleotides, e.g., of 18-30 nucleotides in length; and bacterial polypeptides such as a bacteriotoxin. Any compound that stimulates differentiation or activation of professional antigen presenting cells such as dendritic cells is a useful immunostimulatory agent. Examples of CpG-containing oligonucleotides are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,116. A nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide described herein and an immunostimulatory agent can optionally be included in a single vector, e.g., a two promoter vector or IRES vector as described herein. Alternatively, a nucleic acid of the invention can encode a CYP1B1 polypeptide or portion thereof fused in frame to an immunostimulatory agent. Methods of creating such fusion proteins are well known in the art and are described in, for example, WO 95105849.

Methods

The nucleic acids of the invention can be used as immunogens in individuals known to have various types of cell proliferative disorders, such as lymphoproliferative disorders or cancer, individuals suspected of having various types of cancer, or individuals susceptible to various types of cancer (e.g., individuals having genetic and/or hereditary indicia of cancer susceptibility, e.g., mutations in the BRCA1 gene). Other suitable individuals include those displaying symptoms of, or likely to develop, cancer-associated conditions. The nucleic acids can be used, prophylactically or therapeutically, to prevent or treat conditions associated with several different cell proliferative disorders or cancers, e.g., cancers of the bladder, breast, colon, connective tissue, lung, esophagus, skin, lymph node, brain, ovary, stomach, uterus, testis, and prostate. In one example, the nucleic acid is used as a vaccine.

The nucleic acids encoding the peptides can administered alone or in combination with other therapies known in the art, e.g., chemotherapeutic regimens, radiation, and surgery, to treat various types of proliferative disorders or cancer, or diseases associated with these proliferative disorders or cancers. In addition, the nucleic acid of the invention can be administered in combination with other treatments designed to enhance immune responses, e.g., by co-administration with adjuvants, vitamins, immunostimulatory agents, or cytokines (or nucleic acids encoding Cytokines), as is well known in the art Compositions containing nucleic acids and immunostimulatory agents are described herein.

The nucleic acid of the invention can also be used in manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or treatment of various cancers, or conditions associated with these cancers.

Nucleic acids encoding CYP1B1 polypeptides or portions thereof can be used in immunotherapy to stimulate the immune reaction of a cancer patient against a rapidly proliferating cell population or tumor, e.g., a tumor that expresses the CYP1B1 protein and presents CYP1B1 peptides in the context of an MHC molecule or a tumor that expresses the CYP1B1 protein on the cell surface. Because naturally occurring forms of a CYP1B1 transcript are thought to contain translational repressor elements that contribute to the partial or total suppression of translation, the immune system of an individual may be naive or tolerant to CYP1B1. CYP1B1 protein expression in other cells may result in immunologic self-tolerance and thus mechanisms to break self-tolerance may increase the efficacy of the nucleic acids of the invention. For example, the nucleic acids of the invention lack at least one translational repressor element and thus provide for a system of enhanced translation of the CYP1B1 polypeptide or portions thereof thereby enabling an individual's immune system to generate an anti-CYP1B1 immune response. A polypeptide described herein can be produced in one cell of an individual, e.g., a non-cancerous cell such as a non-cancerous APC, and cause the generation of an immune response, e.g., a humoral and/or cellular immune response, against another cell of the individual, e.g., a cancer cell.

Some individuals exposed to high levels of carcinogens, such as smokers, may express high levels of CYP1B1 and therefore display tolerance to the protein. By generating an anti-CYP1B1 immune response by methods described herein, this tolerance may be broken in such an individual, thereby resulting in the generation of an immune response against a CYP1B1-expressing cell, e.g., a cancer cell.

The nucleic acid constructs described herein can also be used in ex vivo treatment. For example, cells such as dendritic cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, or bone marrow cells can be obtained from an individual or an appropriate donor and activated ex vivo with a nucleic acid composition or polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acids described herein, and then returned to the individual. In addition, cells such as myoblasts can be transfected or infected with a nucleic acid expression vector described herein, and then administered to an individual. The CYP1B1-expressing myoblasts can thus act as an in vivo source of CYP1B1 for generating an anti-CYP1B1 immune response.

The methods described herein for generating an anti-CYP1B1 immune response can also include generating an immune response against one or more additional cancer related antigens, such as telomerase, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), or p53, incident to the generation of an anti-CYP1B1 immune response. Such an immune response can be achieved by a variety of methods, including administration of a nucleic acid encoding two polypeptides, wherein the first polypeptide is a CYP1B1-containing polypeptide described herein and the second is a polypeptide containing all or a portion of a cancer related antigen.

In some embodiments, the polypeptides encoded by the constructs can be used to enhance the immune response or break self tolerance via an indirect approach. Nucleic acids and polypeptides encoded by them can contain an immunostimulatory agent which would result in stimulation of local or systemic inflammatory responses. An example of inserting peptide epitopes into proteins to make the resulting protein immunogenic is found in WO 95/05849, herein incorporated by reference.

The effect of nucleic acids and the encoded polypeptides can be enhanced with a prime (e.g., a plasmid, viral vector, or bacterial vector or polypeptide) followed by a boost of the same material, to help enhance the immune response (see, e.g., WO 98/56919).

Nucleic acids or polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acids of the invention can be used to monitor tumor development in murine tumor models (Table 2). Mice are immunized with 50-100 ug of a plasmid containing a nucleic acid of the invention one to three times at three week intervals. The plasmid can be delivered in a microparticle or other delivery vehicle, or may be delivered as naked DNA. Then the tumor cells are implanted into mice. At a time post-immunization (varies for individual tumors), tumor development is monitored by assessing tumor growth or activity relative to its initial growth or activity. A determination is made that the tumor has either been slowed or inhibited in its growth or has decreased in activity. The experiment can also be performed by administering the tumor prior to immunization with the CYP1B1-encoding nucleic acid to demonstrate the therapeutic effects of the nucleic acid formulation.

TABLE 2 Tumor/Strain Combinations Tumor Type Host MHC P815 Mastocytoma DBA/2 H-2^(d) Clone M3 Melanoma DBA/2 H-2^(d) (Cloudman S91) CT26.WT Colon carcinoma BALB/c H-2^(d) A20 B cell lymphoma BALB/c H-2^(d) J558 Plasmacytoma BALB/c H-2^(d) EL4 Thymoma C57BL/6 H-2^(b) B16/F10 Melanoma C57BL/6 H-2^(b) 3LL Lung Carcinoma C57BL/6 H-2^(b) Sa1 Fibrosarcoma A/J H-2

^((k/d))

indicates data missing or illegible when filed

The invention also includes methods of stimulating an immune response in a mammal belonging to a first species by administering to the mammal, e.g., a human or a mouse, a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide containing a CYP1B1 polypeptide or portion thereof that binds to an MHC class I or class II molecule or immunoglobulin receptor. In these methods, the CYP1B1 polypeptide or MHC-binding portion or immunoglobulin binding portion thereof is identical to a sequence of a naturally occurring CYP1B1 polypeptide of a second species, e.g., a rodent such as a mouse or rat. The nucleic acid used in this method can optionally be a nucleic acid of the invention, e.g., a nucleic acid that lacks sequences found in the untranslated region (UTR) of naturally occurring forms of a CYP1B1 transcript, or a nucleic acid encoding a CYP1B1 with mutations, deletions, insertions, or rearrangements. The nucleic acid can be administered to the mammal naked or via any of the delivery vehicles described herein, e.g., in a microparticle or a polymeric hydrogel matrix. Delivery of a nucleic acid to a first species as described above may result in the development of a herteoclitic immune response in the first species, e.g., an immune response directed to CYP1B1 sequences endogenously produced by the first species. This method could therefore be used to break T cell tolerance and induce a CYP1B1 T cell response in the first species. In these methods, the mammal may have or be at risk of developing a cellular proliferative disorder, e.g., cancer.

Delivery of Nucleic Acids

The compositions of the invention may be used to deliver, into appropriate cells, nucleic acids that express peptides intended to stimulate an immune response against various cancers. An advantage of gene delivery is that the antigenic peptide can be produced inside the target cell itself, where the interaction with a MHC molecules to which the immunogenic peptide binds is kinetically favored. This is in contrast to some vaccine protocols that do not specifically direct antigenic peptides to MHC molecules. Alternatively, the polypeptide can be secreted, resulting in the activation of immune cells such as B cells.

The nucleic acids of the invention can be administered using standard methods, e.g., those described in Donnelly et al., J. Imm. Methods 176:145, 1994, and Vitiello et al., J. Clin. Invest. 95:341, 1995. Nucleic acids of the invention can be injected into subjects in any manner known in the art, e.g., intramuscularly, intravenously, intraarterially, intradermally, intraperitoneally, intranasally, intravaginally, intrarectally or subcutaneously, or they can be introduced into the gastrointestinal tract, the mucosa, or the respiratory tract, e.g., by inhalation of a solution or powder containing microparticles. Alternately, the compositions of the invention may be applied to the skin or electroporated into cells or tissue, either in vitro or in vivo. Alternately, the compositions of the invention may be treated with ultrasound to cause entry into the cells or tissue. Additionally, the compositions of the invention may be administered via a gene gun. Long lasting continuous release of the polypeptides, analogs or nucleic acids of the invention can also be obtained, for example, through the use of osmotic pumps. Administration can be local (e.g., intramuscularly or at the tumor or other site of infection) or systemic.

The nucleic acids can be delivered in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier such as saline, lipids, liposomes, microparticles, or nanospheres, as hydrogels, as colloidal suspensions, or as powders. They can be naked or associated or complexed with delivery vehicles and/or transfection facilitating agents and delivered using delivery systems known in the art, such as lipids, liposomes, microspheres, microparticles, microcapsules, gold, nanoparticles, polymers, condensing agents, polysaccharides, polyamino acids, dendrimers, saponins, adsorption enhancing materials, membrane permeabilizing agents such as streptolysin O, or fatty acids. Examples of hydrogel networks are described in U.S. Ser. No. 60/270,256, filed Feb. 20, 2001.

The nucleic acids can include nuclear localization signals that promote the translocation of the nucleic acid to the nucleus. For example, a nucleic acid can include a sequence of nucleotides that is bound by a DNA binding protein, such as a transcription factor. In another example, a peptide based nuclear localization signal can be provided with a nucleic acid of the invention, to thereby promote the translocation of the nucleic acid to the nucleus. Examples of useful signals include hnRNPA sequences and the SV40 nuclear localization signal. A nuclear localization peptide sequence can be, for example, mixed with a nucleic acid, conjugated to a nucleic acid, or incorporated in a delivery vehicle such as a liposome or microparticle.

Other standard delivery methods, e.g., biolistic transfer, or ex vivo treatment, can also be used. In ex vivo treatment, e.g., antigen presenting cells (APCs), dendritic cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, or bone marrow cells can be obtained from a patient or an appropriate donor and activated ex vivo with the immunogenic compositions, and then returned to the mammal.

Microparticles, including those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,567 and U.S. Ser. No. 60/208,830, filed Jun. 2, 2000, can be used as vehicles for delivering macromolecules such as DNA, RNA, or polypeptides into cells. They may therefore be useful for delivering nucleic acids described herein, optionally with immunostimulatory agents, to a cell of an individual. Microparticles contain macromolecules embedded in a polymeric matrix or enclosed in a shell of polymer. Microparticles act to maintain the integrity of the macromolecule, e.g., by maintaining the enclosed DNA in a nondegraded state. Microparticles can also be used for pulsed delivery of the macromolecule, and for delivery at a specific site or to a specific cell or target cell population such as macrophages, monocytes, or dendritic cells. Microparticle formulations can also be used to activate relevant cell populations such as macrophages, monocytes or dendritic cells.

The polymeric matrix can be a biodegradable co-polymer such as poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid, starch, gelatin, or chitin. Microparticles can be used in particular to maximize delivery of DNA molecules into a subjects phagocytotic cells. Alternatively, the microparticles can be injected or implanted in a tissue, where they form a deposit. As the deposit breaks down, the nucleic acid is released gradually over time and taken up by neighboring cells (including APCs) as free DNA.

Microparticles may also be formulated as described by Mathiowitz et al. (WO 95/24929) and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,817,343 and 5,922,253, herein incorporated by reference.

The nucleic acids of the invention can be administered into subjects via lipids, dendrimers, or liposomes using techniques that are well known in the art. For example, liposomes carrying immunogenic polypeptides or nucleic acids encoding immunogenic peptides are known to elicit CTL responses in vivo (Reddy et Ed., J. Immunol. 148:1585, 1992; Collins et al., J. Immunol. 1483336-3341, 1992; Fries et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:358, 1992; Nabel et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. (USA) 89:5157, 1992).

The nucleic acids of the invention can be administered by using Immune Stimulating Complexes (ISCOMS), which are negatively charged cage-like structures 30-40 nm in size formed spontaneously on mixing cholesterol and Quit A (saponin), or saponin alone. The peptides and nucleic acid of the invention can be co-administered with the ISCOMS, or can be administered separately.

Protective immunity has been generated in a variety of experimental models of infection, including toxoplasmosis and Epstein-Barr virus-induced tumors, using ISCOMS as the delivery vehicle for antigens (Mowat et al., Immunology Today 12:383-385, 1991). Doses of antigen as low as 1Fg encapsulated in ISCOMS have been found to produce class I-mediated CTL responses, where either purified intact HIV-1-IIIB gp 160 envelope glycoprotein or influenza hemagglutinin is the antigen (Takahashi at al. (1990) Nature 344:873).

It is expected that a dosage of approximately 1 to 200 μg of DNA would be administered per kg of body weight per dose. Where the patient is an adult human, vaccination regimens can include, e.g., intramuscular, intravenous, oral, intranasal, intrarectal, or subcutaneous administrations of 10-1000 μg of DNA when delivered in a microparticle or other delivery vehicle, or of about 1-18 mg of naked DNA delivered intramuscularly or intradermally, repeated 1-12 times. Of course, as is well known in the medical arts, dosage for any given patient depends upon many factors, including the patient's size, body surface area, age, sex, and general health; the time and route of administration; the particular compound to be administered; and other drugs being administered concurrently. Determination of optimal dosage is well within the abilities of a pharmacologist of ordinary skill.

Measuring Responses of the Immune System to the Nucleic Acids

The ability of nucleic acids described herein to elicit an immune response can be assayed by using methods for measuring immune responses that are well known in the art For example, the generation of cytotoxic T cells can be demonstrated in a standard ⁵¹Cr release assay, by measuring intracellular cytokine expression, or by using MHC tetramers. Standard assays, such as ELISA or ELISPOT, can also be used to measure cytokine profiles attributable to T cell activation. T cell proliferation can also be measured using assays such as ³H-thymidine uptake and other assays known in the art. DTH responses can be measured to assess T cell reactivity. B cell responses can be measured using art recognized assays such as ELISA.

Other methodologies, e.g., digital imaging and cytologic, colposcopic and histological evaluations, can also be used to evaluate the effects of immunogenic peptides, and of nucleic acid encoding the immunogenic peptides, on various types of proliferative disease or cancer.

The following are examples of the practice of the invention. They are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Generation of Human CYP1B1 cDNA Constructs

cDNAs encoding human CYP1B1 (SEQ ID NO:2) and CYP1B1-delta3 (SEQ ID NO:38) were each cloned into two different plasmid expression vectors, pcDNA-3 and p3K. The CYP1B1 nucleic acid constructs contained a cDNA coding for a 543 amino acid protein, but lacking all untranslated regions of CYP1B1. The CYP1B1-delta3 construct contained three substitutions, relative to the wild type CYP1B1 of SEQ ID NO:2, at amino acid positions 57, 61 and 365 (amino acids 57: Trp changed to a Cys; amino acid 61: Gly changed to a Glu; amino acid 365: Gly changed to a Trp; see SEQ ID NO:38). The expression vectors pcDNA3-CYPHu1B1, p3k-CYPHu1B1, pcDNA3-CYPHu1B1-delta 3 (pcDNAhu1B1d3), p3K-CYPHu1B1-delta 3 (p3 khu1B1d3), and control vectors pcDNA3 and p3K were purified from transformed Esherichia coli using Qiagen columns according to the manufacturers instructions (Qiagen, Chatsworth, Calif.). Each construct was sequenced to confirm the introduction of the desired changes.

Additional CYP1B1 constructs were made as follows. Deletions were introduced using PCR, in the background of pcDNA3hu1B1d5. pcDNA3hu1B1d5 encodes a human CYP1B1 protein in which five amino acids are substituted: W57C, G61E, G365W, P379L, and E387K. Upstream primers contained a restriction site and an ATG codon in frame with the subsequent coding sequences. Downstream primers contained the appropriate CYP1B1 coding sequences, followed by the stop codon, and a restriction site for cloning purposes. pcDNA3hu1B1-deltaPPGP encodes the whole CYP1B1 protein, with the exception of amino acids 51 to 54 (PPGP), which were deleted. The pcDNA3hu1B1-F1R1-encoded protein contains a deletion of the first 60 amino acids of CYP1B1, and the pcDNA3hu1B1-F1R2 protein contains the same N-terminal deletion, in addition to the last 82 amino acids of the CYP1B1 protein. The pcDNA3hu1B1-F2R1 protein encompasses a deletion of the first 171 amino acids of CYP1B1, and the pcDNA3hu1B1-F2R2-encoded protein contains the same N-terminal deletion, in addition to the last 82 amino acids of CYP1B1. The pcDNA3hu1B1-F3R1 protein contains a deletion of the first 292 amino acids of CYP1B1, and pcDNA3hu1B1-F3R2 contains the same N-terminal deletion, in addition to the last 82 amino acids of the CYP1B1 protein (FIG. 3). The Double PEP-Padre protein is depicted as SEQ ID NO:41 in FIG. 3.

The HLA-A2/K^(b) transgenic C57B1/6 mouse line produces a hybrid MHC class I molecule. In this hybrid molecule, the peptide binding domains (alpha1 and alpha2) are derived from the human class I molecule HLA-A*0201, whereas the domain (alpha3) which interacts with the CD8 co-receptor on T cells is derived from the murine class I molecule K^(b). The resulting animal is capable of responding to immunogens which contain HLA-A2 restricted epitopes and of generating murine cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) that recognize human target cells expressing HLA-A2 (Vitiello et al., J. Exp. Med. 173:1007, 1991).

The experiments described in the following examples demonstrated that: 1) plasmids encoding CYP1B1 were expressed; 2) the CYP1B1 protein was translated; 3) the encoded proteins were processed and the peptides presented on class I receptors in vivo; 4) and the T cell repertoire contained cells capable of recognizing the class I/peptide complex.

Example 2 Immunization of Mice with DNA Expression Vector Encoding Wild Type CYP1B1 Elicits T Cell Immunity in HLA-A2 Transgenic Mice In Vivo

Groups of at least three 6-8 week old female transgenic mice, expressing the human Class I molecule HLA-A2.1 were immunized with pcDNA3-CYPHu1B1 or pcDNA3 plasmid vectors. 100 micrograms of plasmid DNA was injected into each anterior tibialis muscle. A booster immunization was performed 14 days after the first immunization. Twelve days following the second immunization, splenocytes were harvested.

Single cell suspension of spleens from two to three mice were prepared in RPMI-1640 medium with 10% fetal calf serum and antibiotics. Red blood cells were lysed by incubation of the cells in 0.83% NH4Cl at 4° C. for 10 minutes. After washing, the cells were separated on a CD8 T cell enrichment column according to the manufacturer's protocol (Murine T cell CD8 Subset column kit, R&D System, Minneapolis, Minn.). A mouse interferon-gamma (IFN-g) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay, was used for the detection of individual human CYP1B1 epitope specific CD8+ T cells (Mouse IFN-g ELISpot, R&D Systems). Briefly 1×10⁵ purified spleen cells were incubated in vitro with equal number of syngeneic EL-4-A2/Kb target cells, which had been pre-pulsed with 10 micromole synthetic HLA-A2.1 binding peptide, FLDPRPLTV (SEQ ID NO:22) or infected with a human CYP1B1-expressing vaccinia vector for 14 hours. After 24 hours of co-culture, T cell activity was determined by performing the ELIspot assay according to the manufacturer's instructions (Mouse IFN-g ELISpot, R&D Systems). The spots, representing the frequency of CYP1B1 reactive T cells, were counted with an automated ELISpot reader system (FIG. 4).

Example 3 A CYP1B1 Variant cDNA Construct Elicits T Cell Immunity in HLA-A2 Transgenic Mice In Vivo

Groups of at least three 6-8 week old female transgenic mice, expressing the human Class I molecule HLA-A2.1 were immunized with p3K-CYPHu1B1-delta 3 or p3K plasmid vectors. 100 micrograms of plasmid DNA was injected into each anterior tibialis muscle. A booster immunization was performed 14 days after the first immunization. Twelve days following the second immunization, splenocytes were harvested.

Single cell suspension of spleens from two to three mice were prepared in RPMI-1640 medium with 10% fetal calf serum and antibiotics. Red blood cells were lysed by incubation of the cells in 0.83% NH4Cl at 4° C. for 10 minutes. After washing the cells were separated on a CD8 T cell enrichment column according to the manufacturer's protocol (Murine T cell CD8 Subset column kit, R&D System, Minneapolis, Minn.). A mouse interferon-gamma (IFN-g) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay, was used for the detection of individual human CYP1B1 epitope specific CD8+ T cells (Mouse IFN-g ELISpot, R&D Systems). Briefly 1×10⁵ purified spleen cells were incubated in vitro with equal number of syngeneic EL-4-A2/Kb target cells, which had been pre-pulsed with 10 micromole synthetic HLA-A2.1 biding peptide, FLDPRPLTV (SEQ ID NO:22) or infected with a human 1B1 expressing vaccinia vector for 14 hours. After 24 hours of co-culture, T cell activity was determined by performing the ELlspot assay according to the manufacturer's instructions (Mouse IFN-g ELISpot, R&D Systems). The spots, representing the frequency of CYP1B1 reactive T cells, were counted with an automated ELISpot reader system (FIG. 5).

Example 4 Detection of Anti-CYP1B1 Antibodies by Western Blot Analysis

Serum of an animal immunized with a CYP1B1 encoding nucleic acid can be tested for the presence of anti-CYP1B1 antibodies, as follows. Human CYP1B1 microsomes (Gentest, Woburn Mass.) containing 30 ug of microsomal protein are boiled in SDS sample buffer (Boston Bloproducts, Ashland, Mass.) and electrophoretically separated on 10% Tris-HCl acrylamide gels (Bio-Rad, Chicago, Ill.). The gel is electroblotted onto nitrocellulose (Bio-Rad). Non-specific protein binding sites are blocked by incubation of nitrocellulose membranes for 60 minutes at room temperature with 5% non-fat milk in TBST buffer (50 mM Tris [pH 8], 150 mM NaCl, and 0.05% Tween-20). Nitrocellulose filters are incubated with either variable dilutions of immune mouse test serum (e.g., from mice immunized with CYP1B1 peptides or nucleic acid) or a 1:40 to 1:3000 dilution of mouse anti human CYP1B1 443-457 peptide 5D3 mAb in hybridoma culture supernatant diluted in TBST-5% non-fat milk. The membrane is then incubated with a 1:2000 dilution of goat anti-mouse-horseradish peroxidase antibody (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, Calif.) diluted in TBST 5% non-fat skim milk. After incubation with each antibody the membrane is washed for five 10 minute periods in TBST. The membrane is developed with ECL reagent (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Uppsala, Sweden) to demonstrate the presence of specific protein bands.

Example 5 Electroporation of CYP1B1 Nucleic Acid Constructs

The effect of electroporation on the T cell response induced in a A2/K^(b) transgenic mouse following a single immunization with p3 khu1B1d3 DNA was investigated. Mice were injected with p3 khu1B1d3, p3K control vector, or were untreated. Treatment groups were subsequently divided and treated by electroporation or subjected to no further treatment. Electroporation significantly increased the frequency of T cells reactive against EIA-A2/K^(b) cells either pulsed with CYP190 peptide or infected with recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the native CYP1B1 protein.

FIG. 6 shows that T cell reactivity in HLA-A2/K^(b) transgenic mice is enhanced by electroporation. Paired groups of mice were immunized once with p3 khu1B1d3 DNA, p3K control DNA, and one group per treatment was subjected to electroporation (++) or left untreated. CD8+ T-enriched spleen cells were tested in a direct IFN-γ ELISpot assay against EL4-A2/K^(b) cells either pulsed with human peptide CYP190 (CYP190) or left untreated (untreated). Antigen-specific T-cell frequencies are reported as spot forming cells/10e6 CD8+ T cells.

HLA-A2/K^(b) transgenic female mice 6-8 weeks of age were used. Plasmid DNA for injection was made with endotoxin-free plasmid purification kits according to the manufacturer's instructions (QIAGEN Inc., Chatsworth, Calif.). A 25 μl volume was injected into the tibialis anterior muscle of each leg for a total dose of 100 μg of DNA. Electroporation was performed on anesthetized mice immediately thereafter by intramuscular insertion of a BTX needle array (Model 532) across the DNA injection site and delivery of pulses (100V, 20 msec pulse length×8) by an ElectoSquarePorator Model T820 (Genetronics). Animals were immunized once (two mice per group) and assayed 12 days later. Murine CD8⁺ T-cell responses to CYP1B1 were analyzed by IFN-γELISPOT using a commercial IFN-γ ELISPOT assay kit according to the manufacturer's recommendations (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.). As effector cells, pooled spleen cells were enriched for CD8⁺ T-cells (Murine T Cell CD8 Subset column Kit; R&D Systems) and plated in duplicate at 1×10⁵ cells/well. T-cells were stimulated with 1×10⁵ EL4A2/K^(b) cells/well pulsed with 10 ug/ml peptide or infected with recombinant vaccinia virus or wt vaccinia for 16-18 hours prior to plating (MOI, 10). Plates were incubated for 24 hours, developed, and analyzed by automated image analysis (Zellnet Consulting, Inc., New York, N.Y.). Antigen-specific T-cell frequencies are reported as spot forming cells (SFC)/1×10⁶ CD8⁺ T-cells. The murine thymoma cell line EL4 was obtained from ATCC (Manassas, Va.) and was transfected with the HLA-A2/K^(b) cDNA inserted into the pSV2neo vector. The human CYP1B1 peptide CYP190 (FLDPRPLTV; SEQ ID NO:22) was purchased from Harvard Medical School Biopolymers Laboratory (Boston, Mass.).

Example 6 Hydrogels and Microparticles Containing CYP1B1 Nucleic Acid Constructs

Delivery of CYP1B1d3 DNA by different delivery systems can elicit specific immune responses in HLA-A2/K^(b) transgenic mice. HLA-A2/K^(b) transgenic mice were used to evaluate if DNA delivered in a hydrogel could generate an immune response in vivo. Administration of 3 doses of 2% polymeric network, hydrogel formulation or microparticles containing a DNA construct encoding a mutated CYP1B1 cDNA (pcDNA3hu1B1d3) elicited a high frequency of splenic CD8+ T cells with specific reactivity against EL4-A2/K^(b) cells either pulsed with the HLA-A2 restricted CYP190 peptide or infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus encoding the full length, native huCYP1B1 CRNA. Significant reactivity was not observed against either EL4-A2/K^(b) cells left untreated or infected with wild type vaccinia virus. Animals immunized with formulated vector (pcDNA 3) DNA did not elicit a response.

FIG. 7 shows the induction of a CYP1B1-specific T cell response in A2/K^(b) transgenic mice by immunization with a CY1B1 DNA/hydrogel formulation. HLA-A2 transgenic mice were immunized 3 times with pcDNA3 DNA or pcDNA3hu1B1d) delivered in either PLG microparticles or 2% polymeric network hydrogels. CD8+ T-enriched spleen cells were tested in a direct IFN-γ ELISpot assay against EL4-A2/K^(b) cells either pulsed with human peptide CYP190 (CYP 190) or infected with vaccinia virus encoding CYP1B1 (vacHu1B1). Untreated (untreated) as well as, vaccinia wild type-infected EL4-A2/Kb cells (Vac wt) were included as controls. Antigen-specific T-cell frequencies are reported as spot forming cells (SFC)/1×10⁶ CD8⁺ T-cells.

Female mice 6-8 weeks of age were used in all experiments. Plasmid DNA for injection was made with endotoxin-free plasmid purification kits according to the manufacturer's instructions (QIAGEN Inc., Chatsworth, Calif.). A 25 μl volume was injected into the tibialis anterior muscle of each leg for a total dose of 100 μg of DNA. The plasmid DNA was encapsulated into microparticles or formulated into polymeric network hydrogels as described herein and used for immunization. Animals were immunized three times at biweekly intervals (two mice per group) and assayed 12 days after last immunization. Microparticles were administered in 3 muscles/6 sites per animal: tibialis, calf (soleus muscle), and thigh. Polymeric network hydrogels were injected as 100 ug DNA /100 ul volume; 50 ul per tibialis. Murine CD8⁺ T-cell responses to CYP1B1 were analyzed by IFN-γ ELISPOT using a commercial IFN-γ ELISPOT assay kit according to the manufacturer's recommendations (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.). As effector cells, pooled spleen cells were enriched for CD8⁺ T-cells (Murine T Cell CD8 Subset column Kit; R&D Systems) and plated in duplicate at 1×10⁵ cells/well. T-cells were stimulated with 1×10⁵ EL4-A2/K^(b) cells/well pulsed with 10 ug/ml peptide or infected with recombinant vaccinia virus or wt vaccinia for 16-18 hours prior to plating (MOI, 10). Plates were incubated for 24 hours, developed, and analyzed by automated image analysis (Zellnet Consulting, Inc., New York, N.Y.). Antigen-specific T-cell frequencies are reported as spot forming cells (SFC)/1×10⁶ CD8⁺ T-cells.

Example 7 Microparticles Containing CYP1B1 Nucleic Acid Constructs

HLA-A2/K^(b) transgenic mice were used to evaluate whether DNA encapsulated in PLG microparticles could generate an immune response in vivo. Administration of two doses of microparticles containing a DNA construct encoding a mutated CYP1B1 cDNA (p3 khu1B1d3; ZYC300) elicited T cells with specific reactivity against EL4-A2/K^(b) cells infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus encoding the full length, native huCYP1B1 cDNA. Significant reactivity was not observed against EL4-A2/K^(b) cells infected with wild-type vaccinia virus. Neither non-immunized animals nor animals immunized with a vector control showed an IFN-γ response to either stimulator.

Induction of effective anti-tumor immunity involves expansion of an effector T-cell repertoire against self antigens. Data suggesting the effectiveness of CYP1B1 as a therapeutic tumor antigen in this transgenic mouse model would demonstrate that a T-cell response to mouse CYP1B1 self determinants in the context of the endogenous murine class I MHC are elicited following immunization. Mouse and human CYP1BI share significant sequence homology at the amino acid level. Using the previously described peptide-binding algorithms, a predicted H-K^(b) binding CYP1B1 peptide was identified as a reagent to test for induction of mouse-specific self responses. This CYP1B1 residue 77-84 (LARRYGDV; SEQ ID NO:42) is shared between human and mouse orthologs. The peptide was included together with the human CYP190 HLA-A2 epitope to test for its ability to detect responses in mice immunized with microparticles containing human CYP1B1 DNA. As shown, a clear response could be detected against this peptide.

FIG. 8 shows that immunization of mice with encapsulated DNA encoding CYP1B1 elicits CYP1B1-specific immune responses in transgenic mice. HLA-A2/K^(b) transgenic mice were not immunized (left bars), or were immunized twice with microparticles containing p3 khu1B1d3 (right bars) or p3k control (center bars). CD8+ enriched spleen cells were tested for immune response against EL4-A2K^(b) tumor cells in a direct ELISpot assay. Target cells were pulsed with HLA-A2 peptides CYP190, peptide CYP77, or were infected with either CYP1B1-vaccinia (VacHu1B1) or vaccinia wild-type control (Vac Wt).

HLA-A2/K^(b) transgenic mice were immunized as described above with endotoxin-free plasmid encapsulated in PLG microparticles into the tibialis anterior muscle of each leg for a total dose of 100 μg of DNA. Animals were immunized at two-week intervals and assayed 12 days after the last immunization. Murine CD8⁺ T cell responses to CYP1B1 were analyzed by IFN-γ ELISpot assay. Effector spleen cells, were enriched for CD8⁺ T-cells and plated in duplicate at 1×10⁵ cells/well. T cells were stimulated with 1×10⁵ EL4-A2K^(b) cells/well pulsed with 10 μg/ml peptide or infected with recombinant vaccinia virus or wt vaccinia for 16-18 hours prior to plating (MOI, 10). Antigen-specific T-cell frequencies are reported as spot forming cells/1×10⁶ CD8⁺ T-cells. Peptide CYP77 (LARRYGDV; SEQ ID NO:42) is shared between human and mouse CYP1B1 DNA sequence and was purchased from Multiple Peptide Systems (San Diego, Calif.).

Example 8 MHC class II Responses in Mice Injected with CYP1B1 Nucleic Acid Constructs

Experiments were performed to evaluate whether pcDNA3-hu1B1 encodes a protein that is processed, presented, and can stimulate MHC class II CD4+ T cell responses in multiple strains of inbred mice. Class II CD4+ T cell responses were detected using an ex-vivo IFN-g Elispot assay with synthetic peptides derived from the CYP1B1 protein.

Three strains of mice (C3H, C57/B16 and Balb/c) were injected (intramuscularly) with 100 μg of pcDNA3-hu1B1. Mice were boosted (intramuscularly) on day 14 with the same dose of pcDNA3-hu1B1. Spleens were harvested on day 27 and IFN-g ELISPOT assays were performed using CD4+ T cell enriched splenocytes tested against syngeneic APC pulsed with peptide. In addition, CD4+ T cells isolated from naïve mice were screened to serve as a negative control. All CD4+ T cells were screened against a panel of synthetic CYP1B1 30mer peptides (see Table 3 for sequences), PHA (positive assay control), and HBV-2 (negative assay control).

TABLE 3 Synthetic CYP1B1 Peptides 1B1 SEQ Peptide # Sequence ID NO 2 RQRRRQLRSAPPFPFAWPLIGNAAAVGQAA 43 3 HLSFARLARRYGDVFQIRLGSCPIVVLNGE 44 4 RAIHQALVQQGSAFADRPAFASFRVVSGGR 45 5 SMAFGHYSEHWKVQRRAAHSMMRNFFTRQP 46 6 RSRQVLEGHVLSEARELVALLVRGSADGAF 47 8 GCRYSHDDPEFRELLSHNEEFGRTVGAGSL 48 9 FGRTVGAGSLVDVMPWLQYFPNPVRTVFRE 49 10 REQLNRNFSNFILDKFLRHCESLRPGAAPR 50 12 WLLLLFTRYPDVQTRVQAELDQVVGRDRLP 51 13 CMGDQPNLPYVLAFLYEAMRFSSFVPVTIP 52 14 HATTANTSVLGYHIPKDTVVFVNQWSVNHD 53 16 IGEELSKMQLFLFISILAHQCDFRANPNEP 54 17 KSFKVNVTLRESMELLDSAVQNLQAKETCQ 55

Table 4 depicts the results of the above assay for those CYP1B1 peptides that stimulated a response in each of the three mouse strains tested. All reported values represent IFN-g Spot Forming Cells (SFC)/1,000,000 CD4+ T cells.

TABLE 4 MHC class II response in C3H, C57/B16, and Balb/c Mice C3H mice receiving Media HBV-2 PHA Peptide # 9 Peptide # 10 pcDNA3-hu1B1 4 0 78 22 48 Naïve C3H mice 0 0 148 6 6 C57/B16 mice Peptide Peptide Peptide receiving Media HBV-2 PHA # 2 # 13 # 17 pcDNA3-hu1B1 0 4 28 44 196 176 Naïve C57/B16 0 4 24 8 2 0 mice Balb/c mice Peptide Peptide Peptide receiving Media HBV-2 PHA # 6 # 9 # 12 pcDNA3-hu1B1 8 2 158 204 20 28 Naïve Balb/c 0 2 110 2 4 0 mice

Example 9 Immunization with Deletion Constructs of CYP1B

To examine if CYP1B1 can be altered to yield an effective immunogen, a series of CYP1B1 cDNAs were engineered in which progressive portions of the N- and C-termini were deleted. The constructs were cloned into the p3 khu1B1d5 background, and hence contained the 5 point mutations of this construct. To verify expression, the constructs were transfected into 293T cells (ATCC) and two days later lysates were generated from the transfected cells. The lysates were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and a Western analysis was performed on the transferred gel. The blot was probed with a monoclonal antibody specific for CYP1B1 and detection was via enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL kit, Amersham). The data from this experiment demonstrated that the variant CYP1B1 proteins were expressed from the deletion constructs.

To determine if the constructs induced CYP1B1-specific T cells, HLA-A2/K^(b) transgenic mice were immunized with DNA constructs encoding the truncated CYP1B1 cDNAs. FIG. 9 shows that CYP1B1-specific T-cells were induced by immunization with truncated CYP1B1 DNA constructs. HLA-A2 transgenic mice were untreated or were immunized with cDNA constructs encoding mutated and/or truncated forms of the CYP1B1 protein. CD8+ T-enriched spleen cells from immunized mice were tested in a direct IFN-g ELISpot assay against EL4-A2/K^(b) cells either pulsed with human peptide CYP190 (CYP 190), mouse peptide CYP373 (mCYP373), or infected with wild type vaccinia (Vac wt) or vaccinia virus encoding CYP1B1 (VacHu1B1). Untreated as well as vaccinia wild type-infected EL4-A2/K^(b) cells were included as controls. Antigen-specific T-cell frequencies are reported as spot forming cells (SFC)/1×10⁶ CD8⁺ T-cells. Mice were immunized with DNA encoding the indicated construct.

Female mice 6-8 weeks of age were used in all experiments. Plasmid DNA for injection was made with endotoxin-free plasmid purification kits according to the manufacturer's instructions (QIAOEN Inc., Chatsworth, Calif.). A 25 μl volume was injected into the tibialis anterior muscle of each leg for a total dose of 100 μg of DNA. Animals were immunized at days 0 and 14 (two mice per group) and assayed 12 days after last immunization. Murine CD8⁺ T-cell responses to CYP1B1 were analyzed by IFN-g ELISPOT using an assay kit according to the manufacturer's recommendations (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.). As effector cells, pooled spleen cells were enriched for CD8⁺ T-cells (Murine T Cell CD8 Subset column Kit; R&D Systems) and plated in duplicate at 1×10⁵ cells/well. T-cells were stimulated with 1×10³ EL4-A2/K^(b) cells/well pulsed with 10 ug/ml peptide or infected with recombinant vaccinia virus or wt vaccinia for 16-18 hours prior to plating (MOI, 10). Plates were incubated for 24 hours, developed, and analyzed by automated image analysis (Zellnet Consulting, Inc., New York, N.Y.). Antigen-specific T-cell frequencies are reported as spot forming cells (SFC)/1×10⁶ CD8⁺ T-Cells. Murine peptide CYP373 (SDQQQPNLPYV; SEQ ID NO:56), was purchased from Multiple Peptide Systems (San Diego, Calif.).

Other Embodiments

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, that the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the appended claims Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A nucleic acid comprising a transcriptional unit comprising a coding sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising CYP1B1 or a portion thereof that comprises a peptide that binds to an MHC class I or class II molecule, wherein the transcriptional unit does not contain a translational repressor element operably linked to the coding sequence.
 2. The nucleic acid of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide comprises a segment of CYP1B1 that is eight amino acids in length.
 3. The nucleic acid of claim 2, wherein the polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO:22.
 4. The nucleic acid of claim 3, wherein the polypeptide is less than 100 amino acids in length.
 5. The nucleic acid of claim 1, wherein the transcriptional unit comprises an RNA stabilization sequence.
 6. The nucleic acid of claim 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises an inducible promoter sequence operably linked to the transcriptional unit.
 7. The nucleic acid of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide comprises a targeting signal.
 8. A nucleic acid comprising a transcriptional unit comprising a coding sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising CYP1B1 or a portion thereof that comprises a peptide that binds to an MHC class I or class II Molecule, wherein the transcriptional unit does not contain 150 consecutive nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:18 or SEQ ID NO:19.
 9. The nucleic acid of claim 8, wherein the transcriptional unit does not contain at least one of SEQ ID NOs:3-9 or 15-17.
 10. The nucleic acid of claim 9, wherein the transcriptional unit does not contain any of SEQ ID NOs:3-9 or 15-17.
 11. The nucleic acid of claim 8, wherein the transcriptional unit does not contain 50 consecutive nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:18 or SEQ ID NO:19.
 12. The nucleic acid of claim 8, wherein the transcriptional unit does not contain 25 consecutive nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:18 or SEQ ID NO:19.
 13. The nucleic acid of claim 8, wherein the transcriptional unit does not contain 10 consecutive nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:18 or SEQ ID NO:19.
 14. The nucleic acid of claim 8, wherein the transcriptional unit comprises an RNA stabilization sequence.
 15. The nucleic acid of claim 8, wherein the nucleic acid comprises an inducible promoter sequence.
 16. The nucleic acid of claim 8, wherein the transcriptional unit comprises a translational regulatory sequence operably linked to the coding sequence.
 17. The nucleic acid of claim 16, wherein the translational regulatory sequence is an iron responsive sequence.
 18. The nucleic acid of claim 8, wherein the polypeptide comprises a segment of CYP1B1 that is eight amino acids in length.
 19. The nucleic acid of claim 18, wherein the polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO:22.
 20. The nucleic acid of claim 19, wherein the polypeptide is less than 100 amino acids in length.
 21. The nucleic acid of claim 8, wherein the polypeptide comprises a targeting signal.
 22. A nucleic acid comprising a transcriptional unit, wherein the transcriptional unit encodes a hybrid polypeptide comprising a first and a second segment of CYP1B1, wherein the first and second segments are either contiguous or separated by a spacer amino acid or spacer peptide, wherein the first and second segments are each at least eight amino acids in length, and wherein the first and second segments are non-contiguous portions of CYP1B1.
 23. The nucleic acid of claim 22, wherein the hybrid polypeptide further comprises a third segment of CYP1B1, wherein the third segment is at least eight amino acids in length, and wherein the first and third and second and third segments are non-contiguous portions of CYP1B1.
 24. The nucleic acid of claim 22, wherein the first segment comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO:22.
 25. The nucleic acid of claim 22, wherein the polypeptide comprises a targeting signal.
 26. A composition comprising the nucleic acid of claim 1 and an immunostimulatory agent.
 27. The composition of claim 26, wherein the immunostimulatory agent is a CpG containing oligonucleotide of 18-30 nucleotides in length.
 28. The composition of claim 26, wherein the immunostimulatory agent is IL-12 or IFN-gamma.
 29. The composition of claim 26, wherein the immunostimulatory agent is a lipid, nucleic acid, carbohydrate, or bacterial polypeptide.
 30. A composition comprising the nucleic acid of claim 1 and a nucleic acid encoding an immunostimulatory agent.
 31. The composition of claim 30, wherein the immunostimulatory agent is IL-12, IFN-gamma, or a bacterial polypeptide.
 32. A therapeutic composition comprising the nucleic acid of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 33. A microparticle comprising a polymeric matrix or shell and the nucleic acid of claim
 1. 34. A microparticle comprising a polymeric matrix or shell and the nucleic acid of claim
 8. 35. A microparticle comprising a polymeric matrix or shell and the nucleic acid of claim
 22. 36. A method of inducing an immune response in a mammal, comprising administering the nucleic acid of claim 1 to the mammal.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the mammal suffers from or is at risk for cancer.
 38. The method of claim 36, wherein the nucleic acid is administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly.
 39. The method of claim 36, wherein the immune response is directed to CYP1B1.
 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the immune response is a T cell response.
 41. The method of claim 39, wherein the immune response is a B cell response.
 42. A method of inducing an immune response in a mammal, comprising administering the microparticle of claim 33 to the mammal.
 43. A method of generating an immune response, the method comprising: detecting expression of CYP1B1 in a tumor of a mammal; and administering the nucleic acid of claim 1 to the mammal, wherein the administration results in the generation of an anti-CYP1B1 immune response in the mammal.
 44. A method of reducing tumor growth or tumor activity in a mammal, comprising: identifying a mammal having a tumor; administering the nucleic acid of claim 1 to the mammal; and detecting a reduction in the size or activity of the tumor following the administration of the nucleic acid.
 45. The method of claim 44, further comprising detecting CYP1B1 expression in the tumor before administering the nucleic acid.
 46. A method of inducing an immune response in a mammal, the method comprising administering to a mammal a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide comprising CYP1B1 or portion thereof that binds to an MHC class I or class II molecule, wherein the mammal belongs to a first species, and wherein the CYP1B1 or portion thereof is identical to a sequence of a naturally occurring CYP1B1 polypeptide of a second species.
 47. The method of claim 46, further comprising identifying the mammal as having a tumor prior to administering the nucleic acid to the mammal.
 48. The method of claim 46, wherein the nucleic acid is the nucleic acid of claim
 1. 49. The method of claim 46, wherein the nucleic acid is the nucleic acid of claim
 22. 50. The method of claim 46, wherein the first species is a human.
 51. The method of claim 50, wherein the second species is a rodent.
 52. The method of claim 51, wherein the rodent is a rat or a mouse. 